TV Legend Bill Cosby Goes To Trial For 2004 Sexual Assault, Rape Allegations; TV Family Supports Embattled Comedian

Early this week, the trial against actor Bill Cosby commenced over allegations of sexual assault. Cosby, who is an iconic television personality, has been accused in recent years by over 40 women of malicious sexual conduct, including rape.

PBS said the trial, which is held in a Pennsylvania criminal court, is based on 2004 allegations made by Andrea Constand, a former employee at Temple University’s basketball program. According to the allegations, Cosby drugged Constand at his home, and assaulted her. Cosby’s camp has since denied the allegations made by Constand and the other women, and insisted that what Cosby had with Constand was a consensual extramarital relationship.

Buzzfeed said Cosby is facing three counts of sexual assault at the Pennsylvania trial. The trial is expected to run for two weeks, where a jury has been sequestered for the entire duration of the trial. The opening statements at the trial had set the trial’s stage over Cosby’s “credibility. The actor’s defense attorney said his client is a victim of false allegations, of which can destroy “his dignity.”

Cosby, nonetheless, has the support of his TV family, CNN said. On Monday, he appeared at the courthouse arm-in-arm with actress Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable on "The Cosby Show.” Phylicia Rashad, who played Cosby’s TV wife in the same series, said in 2015 that the allegations was “about the obliteration of legacy." Malcolm Jamal Warner, who played Cosby’s TV son Theo, said the allegations upset him as it has tainted the legacy of the 80’s show.