Bill Cosby speaks out, thanks fans after release from prison

Bill Cosby responds to release from prison: ‘I have always maintained my innocence’

A man with his arm raised with his hands in a "peace" sign.

By Tracy BrownStaff Writer

June 30, 2021 6:09 PM PT

After his release from prison Wednesday, Bill Cosby took to social media to thank his supporters as well as Pennsylvania’s highest court, which had overturned his 2018 sexual assault conviction earlier in the day.

“I have never changed my stance nor my story,” tweeted the 83-year-old actor and comedian. “I have always maintained my innocence. Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law.”

The message was accompanied by an archival photo of Cosby raising his fist in triumph.

While Cosby has indeed maintained his innocence over the years, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s reversal stems from a due process-related technicality.

In 2018, Cosby was found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand. In its 79-page opinion, the court explained that a “non-prosecution agreement” struck between Cosby and former Montgomery County Dist. Atty. Bruce Castor — which led to the actor making a number of self-incriminating statements during depositions for a civil case that were later used against him in his criminal trial — meant Cosby should not have been charged to begin with.

The court overturning his conviction swiftly led to Cosby’s release from prison. He had served more than two years of his three- to 10-year sentence. Cosby had previously settled with Constand in a civil case for $3.4 million.

Cosby was among the first and highest-profile celebrities to face criminal charges in the wake of the #MeToo movement, in which survivors of sexual harassment and assault spoke up about their experiences and made public accusations against their alleged offenders.

Everything to know about Cosby's overturned conviction

Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction Wednesday after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case.

Here’s everything to know about what led up to his conviction being overturned.

Bill Cosby's conviction is overturned: FAQs

UPDATED June 30, 2021 | 7:20 PM

How long has Cosby served?

Nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia.

What was Cosby convicted of?

The 83-year-old, who was once beloved as “America’s Dad,” was convicted of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban estate.

When was he charged?

He was charged in late 2015, arrested days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

Why is this case significant?

The trial and conviction of one of America’s most beloved entertainers grew from an outpouring of allegations that presaged the #MeToo era. But the overturning of Cosby’s conviction could reshape how future sexual assault cases involving prominent figures play out in court.

Who testified against Cosby?

The trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosby’s first trial, when the jury deadlocked. However, he then allowed five other accusers to testify at the retrial about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s.

Why was Cosby's conviction overturned?

The court found that Cosby was unfairly prosecuted because the previous district attorney had promised the comedian that he wouldn’t be charged over Constand’s accusations. Cosby was charged by another prosecutor, who claimed he wasn’t bound by that agreement. More >>