Entertainment
Bill Cosby to have party to celebrate a year since he was released from prison-Louise Griffin-Entertainment – Metro
Bill Cosby has his conviction overturned (Picture: Matt Rourke-Pool/Getty Images)
Bill Cosby is planning to have a party to celebrate a year since he was released from prison.
The Cosby Show actor was released from prison in 2021 after his 2018 conviction for sexual assault was overturned by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court following a highly-publicised trial.
He had spent two years in prison.
This week, he will have a party to celebrate the one-year anniversary since his release, his spokesperson told Yahoo Entertainment.
In a new video, Cosby also talks about the moments that led up to his release.
He said he was napping in his cell when he heard yelling, telling him to wake up and that he was free.
https://www.instagram.com/p/CfbceZdpzBO/
Cosby recalled that when he left the cell, ‘all of a sudden, I hear this in time — not the kind of applause that you get in the beginning or middle of your show — this is together clapping. Clap, clap, clap, clap… They were all clapping. It was, to me, very, very moving.’
He added that ‘murderers, rapists, bank robbers, wife beaters [were] all clapping’.
Hours after he reunited with his loved ones, Cosby tweeted for the first time as a free man and said: ‘I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence.
He had spent two years in prison (Picture: Getty Images)
He has always maintained his innocence (Picture: Getty Images for Meet The Press)
‘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.’
Cosby had been in prison in Philadelphia for two years after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2004. He had resisted sex offender programs during his incarceration, refusing to take part or acknowledge wrongdoing, even if it meant he would have to serve his full sentence.
The case stems from a 2004 encounter with Andrea Constand at Cosby’s estate near Philadelphia after meeting at the University where the actor served on the board of trustees and made frequent visits to campus.
Cosby had been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, with allegations spanning from 1965 to 2008 which he has denied. At the time of his release, Constand’s allegations were the only ones that resulted in criminal charges.
However, this month, a jury found that Cosby sexually assaulted a teenager at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1975.
Judy Huth testified to the civil trial that the 84-year-old had forced her to perform a sex act on him at the venue when she was just 16.
The jury also ruled that Cosby must pay the victim, who is now 64, $500,000 (£407,000) in damages.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Bill Cosby sexually assaulted a teenager at Playboy Mansion, jury finds
MORE : Bill Cosby: Supreme Court refuses to review decision to free comedian from jail
Bill Cosby has his conviction overturned (Picture: Matt Rourke-Pool/Getty Images)
Bill Cosby is planning to have a party to celebrate a year since he was released from prison.
The Cosby Show actor was released from prison in 2021 after his 2018 conviction for sexual assault was overturned by the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court following a highly-publicised trial.
He had spent two years in prison.
This week, he will have a party to celebrate the one-year anniversary since his release, his spokesperson told Yahoo Entertainment.
In a new video, Cosby also talks about the moments that led up to his release.
He said he was napping in his cell when he heard yelling, telling him to wake up and that he was free.
Cosby recalled that when he left the cell, ‘all of a sudden, I hear this in time — not the kind of applause that you get in the beginning or middle of your show — this is together clapping. Clap, clap, clap, clap… They were all clapping. It was, to me, very, very moving.’
He added that ‘murderers, rapists, bank robbers, wife beaters [were] all clapping’.
Hours after he reunited with his loved ones, Cosby tweeted for the first time as a free man and said: ‘I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence.
He had spent two years in prison (Picture: Getty Images)
He has always maintained his innocence (Picture: Getty Images for Meet The Press)
‘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.’
Cosby had been in prison in Philadelphia for two years after being convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman at his home in 2004. He had resisted sex offender programs during his incarceration, refusing to take part or acknowledge wrongdoing, even if it meant he would have to serve his full sentence.
The case stems from a 2004 encounter with Andrea Constand at Cosby’s estate near Philadelphia after meeting at the University where the actor served on the board of trustees and made frequent visits to campus.
Cosby had been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, with allegations spanning from 1965 to 2008 which he has denied. At the time of his release, Constand’s allegations were the only ones that resulted in criminal charges.
However, this month, a jury found that Cosby sexually assaulted a teenager at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1975.
Judy Huth testified to the civil trial that the 84-year-old had forced her to perform a sex act on him at the venue when she was just 16.
The jury also ruled that Cosby must pay the victim, who is now 64, $500,000 (£407,000) in damages.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Bill Cosby sexually assaulted a teenager at Playboy Mansion, jury finds
MORE : Bill Cosby: Supreme Court refuses to review decision to free comedian from jail
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