Update 1:19pm CT, Sept. 25: Bill Cosby on Tuesday was sentenced to between three to 10 years in state prison for his conviction of a 2004 sexual assault. According to the Associated Press, Cosby did not say anything while in court, and as the sentence was read, he “sat back in his chair, his head on the headrest.” The judge also ruled him a “sexually violent predator.”
Judge to Cosby as he got 3-10 years. “This was a serious crime," he said. "Mr. Cosby this has all circled back to you. The day has come, the time has come."
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) September 25, 2018
The original story appears below.
At the sentencing hearing for Bill Cosby on Monday, prosecutors requested that the actor receive a sentence of five to 10 years in prison.
Cosby, 81, arrived at a Philadelphia courtroom Monday morning for the hearing that would determine whether or not the former actor is guilty of being a sexually violent predator. He was convicted in April of molesting a woman after drugging her in 2004.
A state board previously recommended that Cosby receive the sexually violent predator classification, which requires him to notify his surrounding community of his whereabouts and lifetime counseling.
Monday’s courtroom appointment served as the beginning of Cosby’s sentencing hearing. A psychologist is expected to testify on Tuesday as the defense’s sole witness.
Andrea Constand, a former Temple University women’s basketball administrator, testified Monday that Cosby knocked her unconscious with pills before molesting her at his home in 2004. Cosby was convicted of three felony counts.
A few hours prior to hearing on Monday, Constand tweeted a Bible verse.
Be wrathful, but do not sin; do not let the sun set while you are still angry; do not give the Devil an opportunity.
— Andrea Constand (@ConstandAndrea) September 24, 2018
Ephesians 4: 26 🙌🏽
About 60 women accused Cosby of sexual assault. Constand was the only one to go to trial, although five women who claim Cosby assaulted them testified at his April retrial. Cosby is widely regarded as the first major example of #MeToo era backlash, coming under fire for sexually predatory acts against women during his career in the entertainment industry.
Cosby faces up to 30 years in prison, but AP reports that he will likely only be sentenced to one to four years per federal guidelines. The judge is expected to make a final sentencing decision on Tuesday.
H/T Associated Press