SPARE SICK OLD PERV, COSBY’S LAWYERS ARGUE
But DA calls for 5-to-10 yrs. behind bars, which could be death sentence
At age 81, Bill Cosby stands a good chance of dying in prison if a judge goes along with Pennsylvania prosecutors’ request that he be sentenced to five to 10 years in prison.
A judge in Norristown, Pa. is to decide Cosby’s sentence Tuesday. Lawyers agreed to combine the three counts of aggravated indecent assault into one, making 10 years Cosby’s maximum possible sentence.
Cosby, convicted of drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in his home in 2004, would no doubt attack other women if given the chance, said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
Steele disputed defense lawyers’ claims that because Cosby has committed no other crimes in the last 14 years, he’s unlikely to commit such a crime again.
The defense wants Cosby sentenced to something like house arrest. “What they’re asking for is a ‘get out of jail free’ card,” Steele said.
The DA also argued Cosby’s sentence should send a message to other sex predators.
“Despite bullying tactics, despite PR teams and other folks trying to change the optics, as one lawyer for the defense put it, the bottom line is that nobody’s above the law. Nobody,” Steele said.
Defense lawyers argued health problems also make Cosby unlikely to commit another crime — he is legally blind and uses a cane to walk.
“It hasn’t happened in the past 14 years, how long should we expect (until it does again)?” defense lawyer Joseph Green asked prosecution psychologist Kristen Dudley during cross-examination, according to USA Today.
“Just because it hasn’t happened as of yet doesn’t mean it won’t happen again,” Dudley responded. “It is possible that he has already met someone who could be his next potential victim.”
Dudley had testified that Cosby has an uncontrollable urge to violate young women and would probably commit another offense if given the chance.
Constand, the former head of women’s basketball operations at Temple University, is one of more than 60 women who have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct.
She testified for several hours at Cosby’s two trials. But on Monday, she spoke in court for just two minutes.
“The jury heard me. Mr. Cosby heard me. Now all I am asking for is justice as the court sees fit,” said Constand.