American actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, has been released from prison, according to Pennsylvania Department of Corrections spokesperson Maria Bevins.
Earlier today, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania vacated his 2018 conviction on sexual assault charges and judgment of sentence.
He had been sentenced to 10 years in a state prison for drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home 14 years ago.
Cosby is free on a procedural issue that is “irrelevant to the facts of the crime,” the Montgomery County district attorney who previously prosecuted Cosby said in a statement.
“I want to commend Cosby’s victim Andrea Constand for her bravery in coming forward and remaining steadfast throughout this long ordeal, as well as all of the other women who have shared similar experiences,” District Attorney Kevin Steele said. “My hope is that this decision will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims. Prosecutors in my office will continue to follow the evidence wherever and to whomever it leads. We still believe that no one is above the law—including those who are rich, famous and powerful.”
Andrea Constand and her attorneys are reviewing the court decision to release Bill Cosby from prison, one of her attorneys said in a statement.
“Andrea, Bebe and I are reviewing the decision and have decided that we will not have any comment at this time,” Dolores Troiani, one of Constand’s civil attorneys said.
Troiani mentioned Bebe in her statement, a reference to Bebe Kivitz, Constand’s other civil attorney.
“My heart especially goes out to those who bravely testified in both of his criminal cases,” Allred said in a statement. “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.”
