World will watch as ‘America’s dad’ faces sex-abuse trial
Come Monday, a spotlight will be on the corner of Main and Swede streets in Norristown as the trial of iconic entertainer Bill Cosby begins.
Judges, sheriffs, and staff at the Montgomery County Courthouse have seen their share of sensational trials over the years, most recently the perjury trial of former state Attorney General Kathleen Kane. But the magnitude of global media attention on sex assault charges against the actor-comedian once known as “America’s dad” is unprecedented in a county more accustomed to small-town crime.
Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent assault for alleged inappropriate sexual contact with Andrea Constand, a former Temple University athletic department employee, at Cosby’s Cheltenham home in 2004 after plying her with blue pills and wine. Constand looked to Cosby as a mentor during her time at Temple, where the entertainer was a university trustee.
Over the past decade, more than 50 women have alleged that Cosby sexually assaulted them or had inappropriate contact, but Constand’s case is the only criminal charge against him. Charges were brought by District Attorney Kevin Steele in a politically charged atmosphere in December 2015.
Cosby, 79, has maintained his innocence and claims any contact with Constand was consensual.
Jury selection was completed May 24, with 12 jurors and six alternates selected in Allegheny County. The selection process was moved after defense lawyers argued that pervasive media coverage made it impossible to select a fair jury in Montgomery County.
The jurors were bused to Montgomery County where they are sequestered in a hotel. Testimony begins Monday – and with that, come the hordes of media and groups of Cosby supporters and Cosby accusers, aiming for a photo or video that defines the potential fall from grace of an icon. An overflow courtroom with video feed has been set up to accommodate the crowd of curiosity seekers and press, but court officials expect more demand than even the expanded seating provides.
The spotlight on Montgomery County brings not only attention, but also cost and inconvenience. The hundreds of employees who work in the courthouse will have to make their way past crowds and deal with lunchtime lines and traffic or parking hassles. We also suspect some out-of-towners may be a little rude in their haste and enthusiasm to get close to center stage.
The burden on safety and security for the jurors, the spectators, and everyone involved in the trial falls on Montgomery County Sheriff Sean P. Kilkenny, his staff and 112 deputies. Kilkenny described the responsibility in a recent interview: “We are absolutely ready. We have known this is coming for a long time.”
The safety of jurors is paramount, Kilkenny said, as deputies escort them around the clock throughout the trial. That task has already begun with transporting the jurors from Pittsburgh.
The county will bear the cost of security, lodging, and meals for the jurors, as well as added security to monitor courthouse crowds. County officials have not made public preliminary estimates of cost, but Kilkenny acknowledged that the budget ramifications have been discussed. It’s going to be expensive.
Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O”Neill will preside at the trial. He has already heard and ruled on a number of pre-trial motions from the teams of defense and prosecutors. With the trial comes the added responsibility for the jury, and for maintaining rules and procedures among reporters and photographers eager for a scoop.
The prosecution team of Steele and co-prosecutors M. Stewart Ryan and Kristen Feden will face off against defense lawyers Brian J. McMonagle and Angela C. Agrusa.
With the eyes of the world on Montgomery County, we trust that the security and decorum of the court will be maintained. We’re certain Norristown will come through this trial, a little stressed by the strain, but with reputation not only intact but enhanced. Some of these folks have never tasted pork sandwiches quite like those at Sessano’s Café. They’re in for a treat.
The dark side of the spotlight is the case that brings it here. Whether or not Cosby is found guilty in this case, the image that a generation looked up to is tarnished beyond repair. The accusations against him could not be ignored.
Cosby was the North Philly comedian as “Fat Albert” before he was the Hollywood actor as Dr. Huxtable. Now, this drama plays out in a Philadelphia suburb soon to be on every screen and front page in America.
Welcome to Norristown.