Quotes from the hearing and reactions to Bill Cosby's sentence of three to 10 years in state prison for drugging and molesting a university athletics administrator at his suburban Philadelphia home:
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"Bill Cosby took my beautiful, healthy young spirit and crushed it. He robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature, and my trust in myself and others. ...We may never know the full extent of his double life as a sexual predator but his decades-long reign of terror as a serial rapist is over." - Andrea Constand, in her victim impact statement.
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"No one is above the law. And no one should be treated disproportionately because of who they are, where they live, or even their wealth, celebrity or philanthropy. ...I am not permitted to treat him any differently because of who he is, or who he was. ...It is time for justice. Mr. Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The time has come."- Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill.
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"I believe it is important to point out that this has been the most racist and sexist trial in the history of the United States. ...You know what this country has done to black men for centuries." -Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt.
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"We have now learned and will prove that Bill Cosby was denied his right to a fair trial because the DA of Montgomery County, Kevin Steele, used falsified evidence against him." -Cosby's wife, Camille. Steele rejected the allegation.
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"For decades, the defendant has been able to hide his true self and hide his crimes using his fame and fortune. He's hidden behind a character created, Dr. Cliff Huxtable. ...He used his acting skills and an endearing TV personality to win over his victims and then keep them silent. Finally, Bill Cosby has been unmasked and we have seen the real man as he is headed off to prison." - Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.
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"This has been a long journey to justice for all of the accusers. ...We're glad that judgment day has finally come for Mr. Cosby." - Celebrity attorney Gloria Allred, who represented some of his accusers.
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"There is solace, absolutely. It is his fame and his fortune and his phony philanthropy that has allowed him to get away with impunity. Maybe this will send a message to other powerful perpetrators that they will be caught and punished." - Lili Bernard, who said Cosby sexually assaulted her before giving her a one-time role on The Cosby Show in 1992.
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"I did think that I didn't care if he went to prison or hell, but I did care. ...It's hard to describe. I can't say euphoria, it wasn't happiness, but a tremendous relief that justice was served." - Cindra Ladd, a model-turned-Hollywood executive who says Cosby gave her a pill that incapacitated her and then raped her in 1969.
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"He did not care how old I was. I was young and innocent and only 17 years old. ...Why should he receive mercy just because he is 81 years old?" Chelan Lasha, who says Cosby assaulted her after giving her a pill in 1986.
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"The stars only commemorate the recipient's professional accomplishments. It is regrettable when the personal lives of inductees do not measure up to public standards and expectations; however, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce does not remove stars from the Walk of Fame." - Statement from Hollywood Walk of Fame on why Cosby's star will remain.
Australian Associated Press
