Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison for 2004 sexual assault

Philadelphia Inquirer

Prosecutors had asked that the comedy icon and former The Cosby Show star be sentenced to the maximum 10 years in prison for his conviction for three counts of sexual assault for raping Andrea Constand while she was unconscious in 2004. "I'm not going to treat him any differently than anyone who comes in here," Judge Steven T. O'Neill said in announcing Cosby will serve three to 10 years in state prison. "There are people in jails all over the state who think they should have bail while they appeal." "The 81-year-old entertainer showed little reaction as the sentence was announced in a packed Norristown courtroom, casting his eyes down at the defense table," reported the Philadelphia Inquirer. The sentencing came hours after the judge ruled that Cosby will be designated a sexually violent predator, which would require him to register with local authorities after his release from prison. At one point, Cosby asked, “if I went from a city to another city, do I have to — even if it’s just overnight — I would have to advise the state police?” The prosecutor said he would need to. Before sentencing, Constand released a victim impact statement to the court, saying: “Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it.” UPDATE: Cosby denied bail and placed in handcuffs immediately.