Bill Cosby’s release from prison; the fragility of justice
Bill Cosby stood as a sentenced sexual assault offender but now walks as a free man. His release reveals the prominent role of the judicial system and the tiny details that can make the justice procedures more reliable or invalid.
On June 30th, 2021, Bill Cosby’s release from prison took everyone by surprise. For the past three years, he was residing in jail due to a conviction of sexual assault by a former employee of Temple University named Andrea Constand. However, The Pennsylvania Supreme Court nullified the unethical assault sentence of Bill Cosby and directed his discharge from jail after discovering that refused security against self-incrimination.
The primary reason for his release was the violation of Bill Cosby’s right to defend himself and the unlawful use of an earlier case testimony in a separate prosecution. A board of the Pennsylvania Supreme court judges shared their evaluation that in 2005, Bill Cosby did not get prosecuted in exchange for his testimony in a civil case. However, later during his trial in his 2004 sexual assault case, the same testimony was employed for his conviction.
Bill Cosby was dismissed from having an opportunity to defend his position. Also, he spoke candidly without knowing his testimony would be used by another prosecutor in a criminal case. This testimony was also a significant contributor to Bill Cosby’s prosecution lawsuit. Thus, these two factors contributed to making his conviction an invalid judgment and unethical on legal grounds.
Although Bill Cosby is a free man, the alleged charges against him continue to upset people, as he still is a possible sexual assault offender. The case revoked over the unfair use of a testimony that could criminally indicate him, but that does not rid Cosby of the crime of rape. This incident has transformed into a discussion about the justice system and the loopholes within it. Furthermore, it is also one of the cases that shed light for sexual assault survivors on the fragile justice operations and why it’s not a completely reliable and promising system.
In 2018, Bill Cosby was sentenced on three felony counts of indecent assault for intoxicating and sexually violating Andrea Constand. He served for only three years and now walks a liberated man. There were a total of 60 women who came ahead and accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault as well. The accusers included well-known supermodel Janice Dickinson, lawyer Tamara Green, Nurse Therese Serignese, and Sarita Butterfield, a former worker of Playboy Bunny who accused him of harassment.
Cosby confirmed the use of the drug ‘Quaaludes’ in the 1970s as a means to intoxicate women he intended to have sexual intercourse with. This was a statement included in his testimony in the year 2005 and refused to answer whether he gave these drugs to women with or without consent. He has also admitted to consensual sex with Andrea Constand, but this denies any occurrences of rape.
Regardless of the truth, it is evident that if Bill Cosby is responsible for countless assaults, his release is an insult to victims and a gross reminder of how justice is a question mark in reality. This case provides insight into how delicate the system truly is and how the use of an old testimony of a civil lawsuit in a criminal case is invalid enough to vacant the judgment of the judges. Bill Cosby’s crime will remain a puzzle, yet this case reveals the importance of the 5th Amendment, and how important it is in the legal system to recognize all factors and not miss any details.
In the end, justice cannot be fully served if there is an account of unfairness in the procedure. The justice system is complicated and can also provide polarizing results. This case is ideal for presenting a trial that concluded judgment on an unfair use of the statement, yet its dismissal can also be a factor for injustice for the potential victims. Justice in this society is fragile and continues to be a tough decision; this case highlights the need for a better system that can provide justice to everyone and not miss details or let potential assaulters free.
