Post by : Bianca
Haleem
A civil jury in California has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 1972. The jury awarded a total of $59.25 million to the victim, Donna Motsinger.
The verdict came after a nearly two-week trial held in Santa Monica. Jurors spent about two days in deliberations before reaching their decision.
The jury awarded $17.5 million for past damages and $1.75 million for future damages. These included compensation for mental suffering, emotional distress, anxiety, humiliation, and loss of enjoyment of life. In a second phase of the trial, an additional $40 million was granted as punitive damages.
According to the lawsuit, Motsinger was working as a server at a restaurant in Sausalito when Cosby invited her to his comedy show in San Carlos. She claimed that he gave her wine and two pills, after which she lost consciousness.
The lawsuit states that she later woke up at her home partially undressed and believed she had been drugged and sexually assaulted.
Cosby’s legal team argued that the claims were based on speculation and said that Motsinger could not clearly recall what happened. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said they are disappointed with the verdict and plan to appeal the decision.
In a statement, Motsinger said the verdict is not just about her but about being heard after more than 50 years. She expressed hope that the decision would encourage other survivors to come forward.
The case comes nearly five years after Cosby was released from prison when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his earlier criminal conviction.
Over the years, more than 60 women have made allegations of sexual misconduct against Cosby, all of which he has denied. Some cases have been settled, while others have resulted in court-ordered payments.
This latest verdict is one of the largest financial penalties Cosby has faced in a civil case.
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