After hours of deliberation this week, the judge in the Bill Cosby trial has officially declared a mistrial on Saturday, CNN reports, because the jury failed to reach a consensus as to whether or not the actor is guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand.
The jury of five women and seven men reportedly deliberated for over 52 hours in six days over Cosby's three charges of aggravated indecent assault. His lawyers argued that the encounter between he and Constand, which took place in 2004, was consensual, but Constand is one of dozens of women who have come forward with stories of being drugged and assaulted by the actor - and she is the only woman who has pressed criminal charges.
"We can never underestimate the blinding power of celebrity but justice will come," says Gloria Allred, lawyer for 33 accusers of Bill Cosby pic.twitter.com/r8KRB0PZcv
— CBS News (@CBSNews) June 17, 2017
Despite being declared a mistrial, prosecutors have already said that they plan to retry the case. Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who represents Constand, told the New York Times that the case sent, "a strong message that victims of these types of crimes can come forward and can be heard.”
"If the court allows more accusers to testify ... it might make a difference. In other words, it's too early to celebrate Mr. Cosby," Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents many of Cosby's accusers, told CNN after the trial.
Cosby will remain free on $1 million bail.
