Bill Cosby Ordered to Pay $19.25 Million in 1972 Sexual Assault Case

A civil jury in Santa Monica, California, has found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding her $19.25 million in damages.

The Verdict and Damages

• Jurors awarded $17.5 million for past damages and $1.75 million for future damages, covering mental suffering, loss of enjoyment of life, and emotional distress.
• The deliberation lasted just over a day following a nearly two-week trial.
• A punitive damages phase begins later Monday, which could increase the total award.

Allegations and Trial Details

• Motsinger, a former restaurant server, testified that Cosby invited her to his comedy show, provided wine and two pills she believed were aspirin, and she lost consciousness.
• She awoke at home undressed except for underwear, stating she knew she had been drugged and raped.
• Cosby's lawyers argued the claims were speculative, noting Motsinger admitted she had no memory of the assault.

Cosby's Defense and Appeal

• Cosby, 88, did not testify during the trial.
• His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed disappointment and announced plans to appeal the verdict.
• Witnesses included Andrea Constand, who was assaulted by Cosby in a separate case that resulted in his 2018 criminal conviction in Pennsylvania.

Background and Previous Cases

• Cosby's Pennsylvania criminal conviction was overturned by the state Supreme Court in 2021, leading to his release after nearly three years in prison.
• In 2022, a separate civil jury in Santa Monica awarded $500,000 to a woman who accused Cosby of assaulting her at the Playboy Mansion in 1975.
• Motsinger first anonymously alleged assault in a 2005 lawsuit filed by Constand.

Broader Context

• At least 60 women have made similar allegations against Cosby, all of which he has denied.
• Cosby, once known as "America's Dad," was the first celebrity convicted in the #MeToo era, but his conviction was later vacated due to procedural issues.