A Los Angeles civil jury has delivered a significant verdict against former actor and comedian Bill Cosby, finding him liable for drugging and raping a woman in 1972. The decision, reported by multiple sources, marks another chapter in the long-running legal saga surrounding Cosby, who was once celebrated as "America's Dad" but now faces a mounting list of sexual assault accusations.
Jury Awards $59.25 Million in Damages
The jury determined that 84-year-old Donna Motsinger, a former waitress, will receive $59.25 million in compensation. This substantial award includes $19.25 million for non-economic damages, covering the emotional and psychological harm she endured, and $40 million in punitive damages, intended to punish Cosby for his actions and deter similar conduct. Motsinger filed the lawsuit in Los Angeles County Superior Court in September 2023, seeking justice for an incident that occurred over five decades ago.
Details of the Alleged Assault
According to the complaint, Motsinger worked as a server at The Trident, a now-closed restaurant in Sausalito, California, where Cosby and other celebrities were regular patrons. In 1972, Cosby invited her to a show at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, California. He picked her up from her home in a limousine and offered her a glass of wine that quickly made her feel ill.
The legal documents state, "The last thing Ms. Motsinger recalls were flashes of light. She woke up in her house with all her clothes off, except her underwear on – no top, no bra, and no pants. She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby." The complaint further alleges that Cosby "intentionally deprived" her of "freedom of movement" by "fraudulently and deceitfully drugging and sedating her without her knowledge or consent to the point of unconsciousness."
Pattern of Alleged Misconduct
The lawsuit paints a broader picture of Cosby's behavior, claiming, "For decades, defendant Cosby engaged in the serial sexual assault of dozens of women for his sexual gratification by drugging women and using unknown substances to incapacitate them." It also accuses him of leveraging his "enormous wealth, power, fame, and prestige" to gain access to women like Motsinger, offering them entry into a world of celebrities and entertainers.
Cosby's Response and Legal History
Cosby, who did not testify during the trial, has consistently denied all allegations of sexual assault. He has been accused by at least 60 women, and in a deposition for this case last year, he argued that the accusations have caused severe financial strain. "Due to allegations, whether they be newspaper, radio, television, magazines or just plain internet, I have not worked in about 10 years, or more," Cosby stated. "That means I have not earned a cent through my being an entertainer, a writer, a television performer, except in reruns, and my net worth has gone down like a submarine with no motor."
In 2018, Cosby was convicted of sexual assault in a criminal case, serving three years in prison before his conviction was overturned in 2021 due to a nonprosecution agreement. That conviction was notable as the first celebrity conviction during the peak of the #MeToo movement, which was launched by activist Tarana Burke to empower survivors of sexual abuse and hold perpetrators accountable.
Victim's Statement and Future Appeals
Outside the courthouse on Monday, Motsinger expressed mixed emotions about the verdict. "It has been 54 years to get justice, and I know it's not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit," she said, according to The New York Times. She added, "he in some way has to be accountable for what he did to me."
Cosby's attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, indicated that they plan to appeal the decision, telling The New York Times that they believe they have a "strong appeal" to pursue. This suggests that the legal battle may continue, even as this verdict provides a measure of closure for Motsinger and potentially other accusers.
