After his sexual assault trial ended in a mistrial due to deadlock, comedian Bill Cosby plans to educate young people about sexual assault and how to avoid being accused of it. According to Cosby’s spokespersons – Andrew Wyatt and Ebonee Benson – the comedian will conduct a series of Town Hall Meetings this summer to teach young people, especially athletes, about sexual assault. The two told “Good Day Alabama” in an interview that Cosby will focus on discussing “how to look out for warning signs from potential victims and accusations that could follow”.
Wyatt said young people need to "know what they're facing when they're hanging out and partying when they're doing certain things they shouldn't be doing." Wyatt said Cosby will start the tour in July.
Cosby avoided conviction after case ended in mistrial
Cosby’s aggravated indecent assault case ended in a mistrial after a Pennsylvania jury – composed of seven men and five women – failed to reach a unanimous verdict on the case filed by Andrea Constand against the 79-year-old comedian after a six-day deliberation. According to one of the jurors, who spoke on condition of anonymity to NBC News, some of them had serious questions about Constand's claim that Cosby drugged and molested her at his Pennsylvania home in 2004.
Cosby earlier entered a not-guilty plea, saying his encounter with Constand was consensual.
However, one juror claimed that they voted to convict the comedian on two counts of sexual assault by a vote of 10-2. The juror, in an interview with ABC News, said 10 of them believed Cosby digitally penetrated Constand without her consent and also believed he drugged her.
On the claim that she was unconscious or unaware, the jurors voted 11-1 for acquittal.
On the sixth day, Judge Steven O'Neill announced that the jury reached a deadlock on the case that put the spotlight on one of the country’s most beloved comedian until a series of assault accusations that occurred in the past surfaced.
Cosby’s wife hits prosecution, judge, and media
Cosby did not issue a statement but his wife, Camille, through a spokesperson, released a statement outside the court, criticizing the district attorney and judge. She did not spare the media, accusing them of intentionally omitting the truth to sell sensationalism at the "expense of a human life."
The prosecution said it will "evaluate and review the case" in an effort to retry Cosby.
