New allegations against Bill Cosby: Does he belong back in jail?

The latest buzz from Las Vegas has nothing to do with flashy shows or jackpot winnings, but with the mounting accusations against the once-beloved star Bill Cosby. The 85-year-old actor and comedian, famed for The Cosby Show, is facing a lawsuit from nine new women accusing him of sexual assault. But wait, there’s a twist to the tale!

Star on trial

These nine brave women have stepped into the spotlight, alleging that between 1979 and 1992, Cosby drugged and assaulted them in various locations in Las Vegas, Reno, and Lake Tahoe. They claim he played on his fame and mentor roles to lure them into vulnerable situations. 

One of these women, traveling all the way from New York to Nevada, thought she was getting a golden opportunity with Cosby as her acting mentor, only to find herself drugged and assaulted.

Cosby, already on shaky ground with over 60 women previously accusing him of similar misconduct, spent nearly three years in the slammer for sexual assault before a surprise twist saw him released in 2021. 

It seems the once revered “America’s Dad” is having a hard time shaking off this dark cloud. And let’s not forget, earlier this year, a Los Angeles jury handed over half a million bucks to a woman who claimed Cosby abused her at the infamous Playboy Mansion way back in 1975.

New laws

What’s the game-changer here? Well, the Silver State just tweaked its laws. Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo inked a bill wiping out a two-year deadline for adults to file sexual abuse cases. This move, much like “lookback laws” in other states, is a beacon of hope for those seeking long-awaited justice.

One of the nine, Lise-Lotte Lublin, a fierce advocate for this change, had previously spoken up about Cosby drugging and assaulting her in Las Vegas in 1989. The Las Vegas Review-Journal quoted her saying, “For years I have fought for survivors of sexual assault and today is the first time I will be able to fight for myself…My journey has just begun, but I am grateful for this opportunity to find justice.”

California has also jumped on the bandwagon with a similar law. A former Playboy model seized this chance, suing Cosby for an alleged assault back in 1969.

Fighting back

Meanwhile, Cosby’s publicist Andrew Wyatt is hitting back, slamming these laws and insinuating that the accusers are motivated by greed and media attention. He stated that they wouldn’t let these accusations go unchecked.

Here’s the backdrop – Cosby’s release in 2021 came after Pennsylvania’s highest court turned the tables, overturning his conviction. This led to Cosby, clad in a white T-shirt from Philadelphia’s Central High School, stepping out of prison to the sight of flashing cameras. Wyatt described this as a “hot verdict” and noted Cosby’s eagerness to be home. The actor, who kept a low profile, left the following day to reunite with his family.

But what does this all mean? It’s a tangled web, my friends. Cosby was originally convicted in 2018, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court played a wild card, finding that an agreement with a former prosecutor should have spared him from charges.

Speaking up

Reactions have been pouring in. Andrea Constand, a previous victim, expressed her disappointment through her lawyers to USA TODAY, concerned about the impact on other victims coming forward. 

Gloria Allred, a women’s rights attorney representing many Cosby accusers, told USA TODAY that the decision did not vindicate Cosby. Kevin Steele, the district attorney who convicted Cosby, expressed that this decision should not dampen reporting of sexual assaults.

So, as the dust settles in the wake of these new accusations, one can’t help but wonder: Is this the final act for Cosby, or just another twist in an ongoing saga? Will the lights dim on this star for good? 

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