Judge Steven O'Neill ruled Wednesday that the identities should be released of the jurors who deadlocked in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial.
The judge stated jurors may not discuss what was said in the jury room during deliberations.
A mistrial was declared Saturday in the 79-year-old entertainer's sex assault trial after the jury deadlocked. O'Neill plans to hold a retrial within four months.
Lawyers for news outlets had argued that jurors' names should be public to ensure transparency in the judicial process. Prosecutors and defense lawyers had argued they should remain secret, saying releasing them would make it more difficult to select a jury in Cosby's second trial.
Cosby denies drugging and molesting accuser Andrea Constand at his home in 2004.
Ten of the 12 jurors on Bill Cosby’s sex assault trial reportedly wanted to convict the disgraced comedian.
It was just two lone holdouts who refused to budge during 52 hours of marathon deliberations, forcing the judge to declare a mistrial Saturday morning, a juror who asked to remain anonymous told ABC News.
“(The holdouts were) not moving, no matter what,” the unidentified juror revealed.
The panel reportedly deadlocked 10 to two on the charges alleging Cosby drugged accuser Andrea Constand with something that impaired her ability to resist and then digitally penetrated her without consent.
On the charge that claimed Cosby assaulted Constand while she was unconscious or unaware that penetration was occurring — count No. 2 — the jury vote was 11 to one to acquit, the juror told ABC.
IMAO: having served on a jury as a foreman, the US Court system is still the best in the world -- regardless of outcome.
ReplyDeleteIs it really that hard to believe that your childhood idol is capable of doing something wrong? Is fame that powerful? C'mon man, grow up
ReplyDeleteWell the longer you wait to make allegations and have to many inconsistencies, the outcome will be for the defendent. Being impartial is the most important aspect of being a juror. If you are not,ask to be removed. Do i think Cosby slipped mickeys in peoples drinks and took advantage: yes. Does the evidence presented result in guilty verdict: no. Her story does not add up and is not believable. Stop wasting taxpayers money on retrying this man.
ReplyDelete1. Deadlocked 10 to 2 on the charges alleging Cosby drugged accuser Andrea Constand with something that impaired her ability to resist and then digitally penetrated her without consent.
ReplyDelete2. On the charge that claimed Cosby assaulted Constand while she was unconscious or unaware that penetration was occurring — count No. 2 — the jury vote was 11 to one to acquit, the juror told ABC.
10/2 to convict, 11/1 to acquit. I don't get this people. I'm sooooo confused today.
Whoever the holdouts were they are completely idiotic. I'm guessing they're probably men?
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad it wasn't deadlocked the other way. I don't care how old Rapin' Bill Cosby is, he is guilty many times over and deserves to see the inside of a jail cell.
ReplyDeleteAnother dumb OJ jury?
ReplyDelete'he's not guilty, it's a race issue, he's innnocent it, you trying to bring another black man down!'
ReplyDeleteno, he is a criminal. it doesnt matter what his race is. stop trying to let criminal walk free just bc you think its race. thats why OJ got off. ALL BECAUSE people thought it was about race. good job, folks!
and being raped everyday would be nice. he deserves it.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't make sense to me either. They seem to contradict each other.
ReplyDeleteNames of jury members should NEVER be released. Too many crazies out there and hard enough to get jury pools.
ReplyDeleteIt seems to me that it wouldn't be _that_ hard for someone with Cosby's money to get two jurors to hold the line,
ReplyDeleteIt's coming from the difference between the charges. The first charge mentioned above was that he drugged and assaulted her. The second charge is that she was unconscious or unaware. On the second charge it seems the majority jury thought she was conscious and aware. Remember the first charge they mostly argued to convict still says he gave her a substance impairing her ability to consent and then assaulted her, so acquittal on the second charge does not negate the assault, just the manner.
ReplyDeleteMaybe your trouble is you think "took advantage" isn't rape or assault. The term is a euphemism for exactly that. She became believable in most people's eyes when 1) credible victims came forward en masse, and 2) his 2005 deposition included a range of admitted guilt. Had that depo not been entered into evidence I'd come closer to agreeing with you.
ReplyDeleteAnd to others, from generations upon generations of black people being murdered or incarcerated by the police and justice system at large has lead many to simply say "not one more." Many cannot in good conscience send another black man to prison. They see the statistics as a score they will never win. I'm white. Not there mentally, but I can understand where it comes from. I'd still question those holdouts over their conscience letting a rapist go, but it's not coming from nowhere.
Yes, your statement makes some valid points. I really feel that the best solution would be to sue the pants off of the man. Putting Cosby in jail seems impossible. if Robert Durst can buy his way to freedom in Execution happy Texas, what the hell is the difference. add Robert Blake, Zimerman, Casey Anthony, and a whole slew of cops......
ReplyDelete