June 17, 2017
Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill declared a mistrial Saturday in the sexual assault case against entertainer Bill Cosby, who stood accused of drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand more than a decade ago at his home outside Philadelphia.
A jury of seven men and five women, deadlocked after more than 50 hours of deliberation, returned to the courtroom Saturday with no verdict, temporarily closing a scandalous and emotional case that carried far-reaching social implications for a generation that once viewed Cosby as a pioneer and exemplar.
Not long after the verdict came in, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced his office's intention to retry Cosby in the future. Jurors had become bogged down by questions surrounding the definition of "reasonable doubt" and Cosby's deposition testimony from Constand's civil case, which was settled confidentially in 2006.
"Mr. Cosby's power is back. It has been restored," said Andrew Wyatt, the comedian's spokesman.
For many who watched Cosby's career unravel as more than 50 women leveled accusations of rape against him, the declaration of a mistrial came as a stunning turn in the long-awaited trial. Cosby continues to fight civil lawsuits filed by 10 other women from around the United States.
Here's a look at the reaction on Twitter to Saturday's outcome.
In the 21st Century, it's still hard to get a guilty verdict in a sex case. And it's damn near impossible to convict a celebrity. #Cosby
— Nancy Allen (@TheNancyAllen) June 17, 2017
A mistrial is not an acquittal. Justice comes in many forms. #Cosby victims are heroes for speaking the truth. We believe you & thank you.
— Vocabulous! 🦄🌈 (@Extra_Legal) June 17, 2017
When you have a President who shares his 'locker room' views about grabbing women, it's easy to see why a jury wouldn't convict. #Cosby
— Craig Beaton (@CraigLBeaton) June 17, 2017
Did y'all hear #Cosby spokeman blame the victim and her counsel.. saying Bill and Camille can be on their merry way... getting back to funny
— j cowley (@cosmicfirepeace) June 17, 2017
People can speak for themselves! #CosbyTrial #Cosby pic.twitter.com/823YtXy8ef
— Fiddle Rox (@Fiddle_Rox) June 17, 2017
SO MANY ppl who cry, march, fight for EVERY BLM THUG are bashing #BillCosby
— Ann (@SprayCanAnn) June 17, 2017
Question> WHY are they anti-Cosby?
Answer> #Cosby was set up
To the women Bill Cosby drugged, raped, and assaulted:
— Andrea (@huntcollab) June 17, 2017
I BELIEVE YOU. 💪🏼 #Cosby #StrengthInNumbers https://t.co/6XcWC6PAyN
We are still such a misogynistic country that an admitted rapist can't be convicted. I know this. But it's still a punch to the gut. #Cosby
— Melania's Hand Slap (@aknastywoman) June 17, 2017
There's a reason why the half the jury didn't think #Cosby was #guilty. They sat through all the testimonies and some of them didn't add up!
— Telvin Griffin (@officialtelving) June 17, 2017
When the #PhilandoCastile news broke I knew wouldn't be able to deeply engage in the grief bc I had a feeling #Cosby was about to be let off
— Come on, man 😒 (@Brax6Jackson) June 17, 2017
This is the first time that #Cosby got off without using drugs.
— mo mandel (@momandel) June 17, 2017
#Cosby mistrial is another black eye on America and our justice system.
— Shane Abel (@shenaniganshane) June 17, 2017
.#Cosby deadlocked jury: Gee, 7 Guys, only 5 Women – could that have had anything to do with it?
— david comfort (@DAVIDCOMFORT) June 17, 2017
can hardly process the another rapist going free #cosby #rapeculture pic.twitter.com/0yuiAEQZvQ
— M (@HopeLoveJustice) June 17, 2017
I loved him since I was a little kid. But I have no problem seeing him today for what he is. A manipulative #predator #cosby
— Richard Levangie (@richardlevangie) June 17, 2017
#Cosby trial reveals how biases still exist.While Bill Clinton living comfortable and ppl praise him.
— Joshua Norton (@jnorton0304) June 17, 2017
White liberals and feminists are disappointed. Nothing but a complete and utter annihilation of a Blck Icon will do. @tariqnasheed #Cosby
— John Allen Shaw (@LiberalEcon) June 17, 2017
*sigh* Liberals just love being dramatic...her little speech was so insincere, I now think #Cosby was even more innocent than I did before.🙄
— Chuck Templeman (@ctemp153) June 17, 2017
Camille #Cosby just showed her hand as the great enabler. It is an embarrassment to all women. #sexual assault
— Bernadine Fox BFA (@bernadinefox) June 17, 2017
A hung jury for #Cosby is like seeing a puzzle of a cat with a couple pieces missing & saying "I cannot confirm this is a cat."
— Kyle Hatch 🦋 (@KyleHatch21) June 17, 2017
*sigh* Liberals just love being dramatic...her little speech was so insincere, I now think #Cosby was even more innocent than I did before.🙄
— Chuck Templeman (@ctemp153) June 17, 2017
#Cosby is it rich privilege?
— Daryl (@solomonseagle) June 17, 2017
He will judged by God as we all will be #judgement
I pray other victims of abuse will seek and find justice
my financial goals in life are to be rich enough to afford healthcare and commit crimes without consequences. #cosby #trump
— Buzz.. (@brian0424) June 17, 2017
I'm an engineer, not a lawyer but please don't tell me how smart juries are. First the #OJ farce and now #Cosby.
— Michael Hagood (@mlhagood) June 17, 2017
Innocent until proven guilty, sure, but what it takes to be guilty of rape is insane. Does the jury need to be present for the rape? #Cosby
— Marie (@marieincolour) June 17, 2017
#Cosby all I know is, he's said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she said, she..... That's Hollywood!
— Shaf Megji (@ShafMegji) June 17, 2017
What steps do we take when our justice systems obstructs justice itself? Asking for America. #NoJusticeNopride #Philando #cosby #trump
— themocollins (@THEMOCOLLINS) June 17, 2017
