Lawyers Give Opening Statements in Cosby Sex Trial

While dozens of women have come forward in recent years to accuse the man best known as the star of the 1980s TV hit family comedy “The Cosby Show“, Constand’s accusation is the only one to result in a trial because the other cases are too old.

The elder Constand in particular jolted the courtroom, especially when she discussed a conversation in which Cosby conceded that “it sounds like I’m a perverted person”.

Bill Cosby walks from the Montgomery County Courthouse during his sexual assault trial in Norristown, Pa., Wednesday, June 7, 2017.

During Cosby’s current trial, in which he stands accused of sexually assaulting Costand back in 2004, even more claims of sexual assault are being read in court in an attempt to help build the prosecution’s case against Cosby.

Cosby, 79, could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted of drugging and molesting Constand, a former employee of Temple University’s women’s basketball program.

IN THE GALLERY: Lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents several Cosby accusers, caused a stir when her cellphone rang during Constand’s cross-examination. Temple is Cosby’s alma mater, and he was a powerful trustee there at the time.

“The lights were dim and the fire was going, correct?” an attorney asked Ms Constand. They could also raise questions about why she would continue to spend time alone with the comedian.

According to Watts, Gianni began by describing how her daughter Andrea’s behavior began to change around 2004 – the year that Constand says Cosby sexually assaulted her.

The 75-year-old attorney says she was baffled because she thought the phone was turned off.

In the deposition, Cosby said he gave her three half-tablets of Benadryl before initiating a consensual “petting” session.

Defense lawyer Brian McMonagle speaks with Bill Cosby’s publicist Andrew Wyatt during a break on the third day of Cosby’s sexual assault trial in at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania, U.S., June 7, 2017.

She says Cosby became more flirtatious and suggestive over time, once grabbing her thigh and later attempting to unbutton her trousers.

Prosecutors gave no sign of whom their remaining witnesses might be, though they previously signaled they wanted to call experts on the treatment of sexual-abuse victims and forensic toxicology.

At times, Agrusa stumbled over dates and details in her questions, confusing July for January, and “Canadian police” for the department in Cheltenham Township, where Cosby’s home is situated, prompting a prosecutor to ask for clarification. Constand says the mood was friendly and the room light enough to eat.

William Henry Cosby Jr., as his name appears on charging documents, faces three felony counts of aggravated indecent assault in connection with the alleged sexual assault.

Agrusa also pored over phone records that showed numerous contacts between Cosby and Constand.

Constand offered an explanation for why she told police in her native Canada that the incident happened in March 2004 and later told police in Pennsylvania that it was January or February 2004. Constand initially told police about the incident in 2005, but the then-district attorney declined to press charges against Cosby.

Gianni said she even threatened Andrea, saying, “If you don’t give me Mr. Cosby’s phone number, I’m gonna get on the next flight to go see him”.

Allred represents more than a dozen of the 50-plus women who have alleged they were sexually assaulted by Cosby, but the statute of limitations for prosecution had run out in almost every case.

“He was sorry that you were upset”, defence lawyer Angela Agrusa said, providing an alternate explanation for Cosby’s apology.