Na California court for Santa Monica don order veteran comedian Bill Cosby to pay $19.2 million to one woman wey accuse am of sexual abuse since 1972. The case na civil matter wey jury decide on Monday, March 23, after dem hear evidence for two weeks. Donna Motsinger, wey be 84 years old now, say Cosby abuse am when dem both dey their 30s.
According to court documents, Motsinger first file her lawsuit for September 2023. She talk say she dey work as waitress for Bay Area restaurant when Cosby invite am go one of his comedy shows for Circle Star Theater. She say Cosby give am wine inside limousine on the way, then give am one pill wey she think na aspirin for dressing room. After dat, she begin lose consciousness.
Motsinger testify say she wake up for her house with only underwear on, no remember wetin happen. For court, dem play deposition video where Cosby answer question about whether he have sex with Motsinger. Cosby reply say “I cannot remember if I did or not.” The comedian no testify for the trial, but him lawyers maintain say he innocent.
The jury award Motsinger $17.5 million for past mental trauma and another $1.75 million for mental suffering. The total compensation reach $19.2 million. Cosby attorney don already announce plan to appeal the judgment. This case follow California law wey dem amend to allow sexual assault victims seek justice even after many years.
This na not the first time Cosby dey face such allegations. For 2022, another California jury find am liable for sexually abusing 16-year-old girl for Playboy Mansion for 1975. Cosby criminal conviction for Pennsylvania don overturn for 2021 after he serve three years of prison sentence.
Motsinger talk to reporters after the ruling say “It has been 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit.” She describe the award as “icing on the cake” but emphasize say the real win na for people to believe her story.
Bill Cosby, wey be 88 years old now, once be highly respected actor for Hollywood through shows like The Cosby Show and I Spy. But recent years bring multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against am. Him lawyers argue say people dey target am because of him cultural status.
The case show how California law dey help sexual assault victims get justice even after many years. The amended statute allow cases wey happen long time ago to enter court, giving opportunity for accountability wey before no dey possible.
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