Bill Cosby refuses sex offender program, so is denied parole

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

By MARYCLAIRE DALE

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Actor Bill Cosby won’t be paroled this year after refusing to participate in sex offender programs during his nearly three years in state prison in Pennsylvania.

The 83-year-old Cosby has long said he would resist the treatment programs and refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing even if it means serving the full 10-year sentence. This is the first year he was eligible for parole under the three- to 10-year sentence handed down after his 2018 conviction.

Cosby spokesperson Andrew Wyatt called the decision “appalling” and said Cosby “vehemently proclaims his innocence.”

Cosby meanwhile hopes the state Supreme Court, which heard his appeal in December, will reverse his conviction in the first celebrity trial of the #MeToo era. Cosby’s lawyers say the trial was flawed because five other accusers were allowed to testify to support the sexual assault complaint filed by a former Temple University basketball team manager. They also say the judge should not have let the jury hear Cosby’s damaging testimony from accuser Andrea Constand’s related civil suit.


Read more: https://apnews.com/article/pa-state-wire-bill-cosby-entertainment-arts-and-entertainment-1dbde3849fb68ca116fcfa875ca886b7

[Lunabell]

1. Good.

Let him rot in prison for all of the crimes he committed against women for decades.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

2. Program for sexual offenders? He's not a sexual offender, ...

... he's a rapist. Leave him in prison.

[ShazzieB]

22. I'm sure you know this.

But I'll say it anyway: a rapist IS a sexual offender.

"Sexual offender" as used here, is obviously a broad term that takes in a wide range of offenses. Rape is most certainly part of that universe.

If you don't understand why I feel the need to spell this out, that's fine with me. Personally, I don't understand why someone would feel the need to quibble with the idea of a racist being considered a sexual offender. But here we are!

[cstanleytech]

3. If he did it he belongs in prison and if he is actually innocent then I hope he goes free.

[localroger]

5. Their complaints about the trial are technical

They aren't seriously arguing that he didn"t do it, but that he wouldn't have been convicted of all that evidence hadn't been allowed.

[BradAllison]

6. He is not "innocent". Not even close.n/m

[cstanleytech]

16. Then he is where he belongs.

[quakerboy]

12. If?

[cstanleytech]

15. Yes, "if". It is actually possible kind of like how its possible I could one day win the powerball.

[joshcryer]

29. That's a moral take, and I agree. If he was innocent.

But if you looked into the case, it was pretty open and shut, total serial rapist. His "innocence" stems from his highly immoral view that it was "common practice" to do what he did, but his incidents were so freaking widespread and prolific that it went beyond any sort of "groupie rock'n'roll" type of "free love" stuff you could conceivably moralize. What he did was immoral when he was doing it. Pure predatory serial rapist behavior. He admitted he did what he did. His view was it wasn't "wrong."

[cstanleytech]

34. I largely agree with you though I do question the judge allowing the testimony by the other women as

that could very well jeopardize the case and cause it to be thrown out which is probably what he and his lawyers are hoping for.

[Evergreen Emerald]

40. it is extremely common evidence

It is evidence that is often allowed in at trials to show intent, planning, patterns, etc. The issue is whether it is more probative than prejudicial. If the judge made a good record of his/her reasoning to allow it in, it will likely not be overturned on appeal.

His behavior shows a really sick individual. His societal power allowed him to get away with his ugly scary behavior for decades. It is difficult for him to realize that his power is gone.

[patphil]

4. Talk about being in denial. Well, that just means he will be in denial in prison.

[BradAllison]

7. Arrogant SOB n/m

[spooky3]

8. Gee, maybe they should drug and force him into

Therapy.

[bahboo]

9. fuck 'im...

[truthisfreedom]

10. He's gotta be senile.

[Marie Marie]

11. Guess he showed them! Rot in prison you Rapist.

[Evolve Dammit]

13. To think I once admired him. Disgusting serial predator.

[LudwigPastorius]

14. "(Cosby) refuse(d) to acknowledge wrongdoing even if it means serving the full 10-year sentence."

He just can't give up those pudding pops they serve in the prison dining hall.

[twodogsbarking]

17. Everyone is lying but him.

Anyone believe this?

[oldsoftie]

20. Sounds like someone else we know......

[Polybius]

30. Phylicia Rashad does

Just because he never did anything to her. Crazy.

[Mosby]

18. Parole guidelines can be coersive

what if this was an innocent person who has been sitting in prison for a decade or more? In order to get parole consideration, you have to admit and explain your crime. We all know that juries get it wrong sometimes, particularly when the primary evidence is based on witness ID, which brings in a racial aspect to this approach to parole and diversion programs.

[oldsoftie]

19. None of that pertains to this case.

Its hard to be wrong about saying someone is Bill Cosby. Not to mention his own words

[janterry]

25. I doubt he'd be granted parole whatever he did in prison

He knows this.

[marble falls]

27. What if this is Bill Cosby who's been repeated accused and found guilty. He deserves no "what ifs".

[Withywindle]

35. Witness ID is a big issue when a crime involves people the victim doesn't know

It does NOT apply with victims who have been personally introduced to the perp...who is a huge celebrity.

[left-of-center2012]

21. The LBN cites a story on AP dated today. Here's more ...

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215471921

May 27, 2021 3:31 PM MDT
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/bill-cosbys-petition-parole-denied-after-he-refuses-therapy-2021-05-27/

[Mike Nelson]

23. Hmm...

... there is a "treatment program" for this kind of sex offender? I didn't know... I thought his type of sex problem was not treatable. Also, how do we know when it's successful? Should we let someone out and assume they're 100% "cured" - because I'm not comfortable if one more victim has to go through what the other victims did.

[myohmy2]

24. well Bill...

...then I guess you're up shit-creek...

...

[twodogsbarking]

26. He has found his forever home.

Hope he lives a long, long time.

[ZonkerHarris]

28. I hope he teaches everybody a lesson and serves the whole ten years. That'll show them.

Or maybe he could really win and die behind bars.

[Pickled_Donut]

31. I'd like to see him have to serve the full ten years no matter what.

That old bastard had me fooled in the very beginning which pisses me off to no end.

[demosincebirth]

32. Isn't he is a little old for that program?

[Takket]

33. how long until that scumbag dies?

[Buckeyeblue]

36. Bill Cosby is a psychopath. But the prison system is still fucked.

First. It's insane that an 83 year old person that has the means to support himself is in a prison. At this point in his life, he is no threat to anyone. He has been turned into a national joke, which for someone like him, is the real punishment. He should be on house arrest paying for his own care.

Parole, itself, is just used as a controlling agent. This carrot is dangled before the person who is incarcerated with the stipulation that they have to submit to every whim of the state for a chance to be released from prison. But even that release will have strange and demeaning conditions attached, which, if not met, will result in the person going back to prison.

But back to Cosby. If he had been convicted of this as a younger person, I would be more inclined to support a prison sentence. But our prison system is used as a crutch so we can avoid dealing with societal problems head on.

Prison should be reserved for the worst of the worst, murders and people who hurt children, extreme violence.

[robbob]

38. I understand your point, but...

Living in a multi-million dollar mansion, lounging by the pool, every whim catered to by staff, cooks, etc., visitors of all kinds allowed to come and go, including (I would assume) paid escorts to provide for his “special” needs?

That doesn’t seem right to me.

[Buckeyeblue]

39. For you and I, yes, not much of a punishment

But for him, it is the gateway to hell. Plus, for people like Bill Cosby, I think there should be severe financial consequences.

Just because I don't like the concept of prison, doesn't mean I don't think people should not be held accountable. For Bill Cosby, severe financial penalties, along with strict house arrest, while he watches his legacy go down the toilet, seems like an apt punishment.

After the penalties, maybe he still has the mansion, maybe he doesn't.

[Vinca]

37. He's right where he belongs and he needs a cellmate. How about Matt Gaetz?