How Bill Cosby could serve only 5 years in prison after guilty verdict in horrific sexual assault case
A man once known as America’s favorite dad will be doing time, but how much time will an 80-year-old Bill Cosby do is the question following his sexual assault conviction.
In the next 60 to 90 days, Cosby, now a convicted sex offender, will be sentenced for the three counts of aggravated indecent assault he was found guilty of and reports indicate that those charges come with a 5- to 10-year possible sentence and a $25,000 fine.
For the aging comedian who has fallen from grace, that means jail could be his final resting place.
In contrast, Cosby sentenced many women to years of therapy and hurt and humiliation and many say he needs to do the time for his crimes.
—Bill Cosby hurls profanity at prosecutor after guilty verdict—
According to USA Today, Michael Donio, a retired New Jersey superior court judge, said Cosby will serve some time, perhaps less than five years.
Donio said an average person with no record would likely get a five-year sentence.
Donio’s opinion differs from what state guidelines say. He said the three counts carry a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and for an 80-year-old Cosby that means he won’t be released until he’s 90 years old.
But there are a few things to weigh in Cosby’s case that his attorneys will argue. For one, he said he’s blind and ailing. Donio said his attorneys will likely argue that he’s an ailing man and he’ll have a jail assessment. They will likely fight for house arrest or probation.
Donio said if he does get a light sentence, he’ll serve it at the Montgomery County Correctional Facility in Eagleville, Pa. For a lengthier sentence he’ll serve it in the state prison system, according to Brian Zeiger, a Pennsylvania defense attorney.
Cosby is not behind bars just yet. The judge has ordered a tracking device to be worn by the disgraced comedian. When the prosecutor tried to have him remanded into custody immediately, Bill Cosby reportedly cursed in the courtroom.
—Bill Cosby found GUILTY on all counts in sexual assault re-trial—
The prosecutor told the judge that Cosby had a plane of his own and could flee the country, Bill Cosby reportedly stood up and yelled in a booming voice, “Your honor, he has no plane, you asshole!”
During the three-week trial, which began April 9, prosecutors presented a slew of witnesses to convince the jury that 79-year old Cosby is a serial predator who has sexually assaulted countless women over the years, including Andrea Constand.
Cosby is home pending his sentence and out on $1 million bail.
