Bill Cosby Sentenced To Up To 10 Years Behind Bars

Bill Cosby is sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison. Bail was denied as he was remanded to be taken into custody immediately. The 81-year-old then walked out in handcuffs. A stunning downfall as one of the most admired dads in TV history becomes an inmate.

A short time before the sentence the judge made another declaration about the comedian. The Associated Press reports:

A judge declared Bill Cosby a “sexually violent predator” on Tuesday as he prepared to sentence the 81-year-old comedian for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman over a decade ago.

The classification means that Cosby must undergo monthly counseling for the rest of his life and report quarterly to authorities. His name will appear on a sex-offender registry sent to neighbors, schools and victims.

This comes five months after Cosby was convicted of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand 14 years ago. NBC reports, “He has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, but was only criminally charged in Constand’s case.”

Constand issued a written victim statement that said in part:

“I had just given my two-month notice at Temple when the man I had come to know as a mentor and friend drugged and sexually assaulted me. Instead of being able to run, jump and pretty much do anything I wanted physically, during the assault, I was paralyzed and completely helpless. I could not move my arms or legs. I couldn’t speak or even remain conscious. I was completely vulnerable, and powerless to protect myself.”

Cosby has been on home confinement since the trial ended, out on a $1 million bail.

His lawyers said they will be filing an appeal and Cosby’s publicists made defiant statements after they left the courthouse saying Cosby didn’t receive a fair trial. A letter from Cosby’s wife, who wasn’t present today, was also read.