2 Cosby accusers press for prison time
PHILADELPHIA — Two of the women who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault decades ago said on Sunday that they hope he will be sentenced to prison time this week.
Lise-Lotte Lublin and Chelan Lasha, who appeared with attorney Gloria Allred, also said they hoped they would be allowed to read victim impact statements before Cosby is sentenced on three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault.
Cosby was convicted of drugging and molesting a woman at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004 in what became the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. A two day-sentencing hearing begins today in Montgomery County.
“I really think it’s important that he spend some time behind bars,” said Lublin, who said Cosby assaulted her when she was 23 in 1989. The then-model said Cosby prodded her to take two drinks to relax. “At some point, he should acknowledge what he’s done, and do the time for the crime.”
Lasha, who wept during her testimony at the trial last spring, said she prays Cosby is sentenced to 30 years. “He deserves every year.”
More than 60 other women accuse Cosby of sexual misconduct during his 50-year show business career.
Lawyers for the 81-year-old, legally blind Cosby are expected to stress his age, health problems, legacy and philanthropy. Prosecutors hope to call other accusers to paint Cosby as a sexual predator deserving of prison.