A California jury has found comedian Bill Cosby liable for a decades-old sexual assault, awarding his accuser roughly $19 million in damages. The verdict marks another significant legal setback for the once-celebrated entertainer.
Jurors reached their decision Monday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The case stems from allegations brought by Donna Motsinger, who said Cosby assaulted her in 1972.
The panel awarded $19.25 million in damages. That total includes compensation for past and future suffering, according to attorneys involved in the case.
Cosby has denied the allegations and is expected to appeal the ruling.
Jury Sides With Accuser
Motsinger testified that she met Cosby when he invited her to a comedy show. She said the encounter later turned violent and nonconsensual.
In her lawsuit, she alleged Cosby gave her wine and a pill. She said the substance left her unable to resist.
“I was incapacitated and could not move,” she told the court, according to filings summarized during the trial.
Jurors ultimately agreed with her account. They concluded Cosby was responsible for the assault, which occurred more than five decades ago.
The civil case did not involve criminal charges. Instead, it focused on liability and financial damages.
Motsinger’s attorney said the verdict reflects accountability. “This award recognizes the harm she endured for decades,” the attorney said outside court.
Long Legal History
Cosby, 85, has faced numerous allegations of sexual misconduct spanning several decades. Many of the claims involve accusations of drug-facilitated assault.
He was previously convicted in Pennsylvania in 2018 in a separate case. That conviction was later overturned in 2021 on procedural grounds.
Civil lawsuits, however, have continued. In 2022, another jury found Cosby liable in a different case involving a teenage accuser.
The latest verdict adds to that pattern of civil judgments.
Cosby’s representatives have maintained his innocence. In a statement released after the decision, a spokesperson said, “Mr. Cosby continues to deny all allegations and will pursue all legal remedies.”
Broader Impact
Legal experts say the case highlights how civil courts can offer a path forward when criminal cases are no longer viable. Many older allegations fall outside criminal statutes of limitations.
The verdict also underscores the lasting impact of the accusations against Cosby. Once known as “America’s Dad,” he became one of the most prominent figures tied to the #MeToo era.
For Motsinger, the decision represents a form of closure. Her attorney described the ruling as validation after years of silence.
“This verdict shows that even decades later, a jury can still find the truth,” the attorney said.
Punitive damages could still be considered in a later phase of the trial, potentially increasing the total amount Cosby must pay.