Bill Cosby, His Accusers React As He's Released From PA Prison

PENNSYLVANIA — Just over 24 hours ago, Bill Cosby was in the midst of a lengthy prison term for sexual assault, having served just over two and a half years on a 10-year sentence. Though his team had been making appeals for years, each appeared more desperate and baseless than the next as courts rejected them left and right.

But Thursday Cosby is back in his Cheltenham home after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction and ruled that he could never be tried again. Justices ruled that an immunity deal he reached back in 2005 — during which he provided testimony in a civil suit — prevented him from being charged in the case.

The decision has sparked disbelief and backlash from those who support the dozens of women who have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct.

>>Bill Cosby's Conviction Overturned; Released From PA State Prison

“I am furious with all of the enablers, over five decades of enablers and today the way I feel, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania is an enabler," Heidi Thomas, one of Cosby's accusers, told NBC News’ Kate Snow. "It doesn't matter what happened to over 50 women who have told their stories. It's an absolute affront. It's a slap in the face. It's an insult.”

“I'm outraged. I'm infuriated," another accuser, Victoria Valentino, told Snow. "How anybody could allow a little legal glitch to release a sociopath, a narcissistic pathological lying predator rapist who had no concern, no feeling, no remorse.”

Cosby met with a crowd of reporters and supporters near his home on Wednesday afternoon. Though Cosby himself did not answer questions, he did release a statement.

"I have never changed my stance nor my story," he said. "I have always maintained my innocence.
Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law."

Cosby walked arm in arm with his team of lawyers and his spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, as he approached the small crowd gathered near the cameras.

Nearby, on Cosby's block, a small group of protesters confronted the supporters. But at his home, Cosby was greeted by cheers. "We love you Mr. Cosby, we love you sir, we knew it, we knew it!" some yelled, while others cried "hey hey hey!"

Later Wednesday, Cosby briefly called in to Philadelphia radio station WDAS-FM, maintaining his innocence and repeating the lines which he has so often deployed over the past few years in decrying his incarceration.

"This is not just a Black thing," Cosby said. "This is for all the people who have been imprisoned wrongfully regardless of race, color, or creed. Because I met them in there. People who talked about what happened and what they did. And I know there are many liars out there."

The state Supreme Court ruling, however, did not reject the points made by the prosecution in Cosby's 2018 criminal trial, and went as far as to acknowledge a "social interest" in holding powerful sexual abusers to account. Rather, the majority opinion was focused strictly on that 2005 immunity deal, which then-DA Bruce Castor said was made because there was insufficient evidence at the time to convict Cosby. In the testimony given as part of that deal, Cosby described giving quaaludes to women.

To catch up on Cosby coverage, see here.