Bill Cosby Found Guilty Of Sexually Assaulting 16-Year-Old In 1975

Bill Cosby has been found guilty of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975. The Los Angeles County jury decided the verdict after over three full days of deliberations and one substitution in favor of the plaintiff, Judy Huth. Huth who is now 64 and was awarded $500,000. She first filed a case against the stand-up comedian and actor in 2014 seeking damages for emotional distress.

"It’s been torture," Huth said of the seven-year legal fight, as per The Associated Press. "To be ripped apart, you know, thrown under the bus and backed over. This, to me, is such a big victory." She also added that it meant more to her that jurors believed her story than the sum of money she won or the fact that she didn’t win punitive damages.

Gloria Allred, the attorney who represented many women who spoke out against Cosby, said in a statement: "First, we thank the jury for their verdict of compensatory damages that they have awarded our client, Ms. Huth. The verdict is $500,000. Second, we thank our client Judy Huth for her courage and many sacrifices to win justice in this case. We are honored to represent her." Allred also added, "I want to thank all of the women who spoke out over the years and refused to be silent in the face of what they believed to be injustice and sexual abuse by powerful men."

Cosby was not present in the court when the verdict was read but his legal team was. Cosby’s representative Andrew Wyatt stated: "This was a huge victory for us because they was (sic) looking for millions of dollars. That amount will not cover the legal bills and we will be appealing that matter. However, Mr. Cosby will not be paying punitive damages." He did not see the verdict as a negative matter. Cosby, who was once referred to as "America’s Dad" has been accused by approximately 60 women of rape, drug-facilitated sexual assault, sexual battery, child sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct.

Last year, in June, Cosby’s sexual assault conviction was overturned and he was even released from jail. The 84-year-old was released after serving only three years of a three- to 10-year sentence for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004. “This decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court today to overturn the conviction of Bill Cosby must be devastating for Bill Cosby’s accusers,” Allred had said in a statement as per Variety. "Despite the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision, this was an important fight for justice and even though the court overturned the conviction on technical grounds, it did not vindicate Bill Cosby’s conduct and should not be interpreted as a statement or a finding that he did not engage in the acts of which he has been accused."