It was the first trial and first guilty verdict for sexual assault since the advent of the #MeToo movement. An earlier trial in June 2017 ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. In September 2018, a Pennsylvania judge sentenced the actor to three and a half years in prison on three counts of aggravated indecent assault: penetration without Constand’s consent; penetration when she was unconscious and penetration after having been drugged. Although more than 60 women charged that they had been victims of sexual assault by Cosby, the famous comedian was tried criminally only for Constand’s assault, since the statute of limitations had expired in the other cases. A dozen women who say they were victims of Cosby have filed civil suits against the actor seeking compensation for damages.

Source: The Guardian June 25, 2019 19:07 UTC