Prosecutors will retry Bill Cosby after judge declares mistrial in sex assault case

Prosecutors say they will retry Bill Cosby after ajudge was forced to declareamistrial in his sexual assault case because of a deadlocked jury unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

"Our plan is to move this case forward as soon as possible," Montgomery County, Pa. district attorney Kevin Steele said in a news conference after the decision.

The district attorney's office also tweeted that a new trial date would be set and that Cosby was out on bail.The disgraced actorremains charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Bill Cosby mistrial: Reaction from defence, prosecution attorneys

7 years ago

Duration 3:29

Defence attorney says there simply wasn't enough evidence against Cosby; prosecution says they will retry the case

Jurors spent six days and more than 50 hours deliberating on whether the 79-year-old star of popular 80s and 90s sitcomTheCosbyShowdrugged and assaulted Canadianwoman Andrea Constand, a Temple University employee, in2004.

• The Bill Cosby trial: What happened and what happens next

"We are confident that these proceedings have given a voice to the many victims who felt powerless and silenced," Constand'slawyer said in a statement on behalf of his client, thanking the jury for "their tireless efforts" and "sacrifice."

CamilleCosby slams proceedings

Cosby did not comment outside the courthouse. His wife of 53 years, Camille, released a seemingly hostile statement read by a member of herpublic relations firm.

"How do I describe the district attorney? Heinously and exploitively ambitious.How do I describe the judge? Overtly arrogant and collaborating with the district attorney. How do I describe the counsels for the accusers? Totally unethical. How do I describe general media? Blatantly vicious."

Civil lawsuits to come

Dozens of women have come forward to say the comedianhad drugged and assaulted them,but many of their cases were deemed too old to prosecute.Cosby has denied any wrongdoing. This was the only case to result in criminal charges against theactor.

'It's too early to celebrate, Mr. Cosby': Gloria Allred

7 years ago

Duration 1:06

'If the court allows more accusers to testify next time, it might make the difference,' says civil rights lawyer representing 33 women accusing Cosby of sexual assault

"If the court allows more accusers to testify next time, it might make the difference," said GloriaAllred, a civil rights lawyer representing numerouswomen accusingCosbyof sexual assault."In other words, it's too early to celebrate, Mr.Cosby. Round two may be just around the corner."

• Bill Cosby trial: Judge bars several accusers from testifying

Allred says she'll be in a Santa Monica, Calif., court June 27 to ask for a trial date in a civil suit against Cosby. The bar for evidence in American civil lawsuits is lower than in criminal court, where prosecutors must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. In civil cases, it must only be proven that the defendant is more likely than not to be responsible for harm.

'Important for sexual assault victims'

Constand, 44,said under oath during the Pennsylvaniatrial that Cosbygave her three blue pills andpenetrated her with his fingers as she lay"frozen" on a couch. She said she wanted it to stop but couldn't fight it.

While the prosecution took five days to present its case, which included 12 witnesses, Cosby'scasecalled only one witness and took less than a day to lay out its defence. His lawyer claimed the encounter was consensual and Cosby did not take the stand.

During the trial, jurors heard a decade-old deposition given by Cosbyas part of a lawsuit initiated byConstand in 2005.

In the deposition, the I Spy starstated that he gave Constand three half-tablets of Benadryl before the touchingbegan.

"I don't hear her say anything. And I don't feel her say anything. And so I continue and I go into the area that is somewhere between permission and rejection," he said in the 2005 testimony.

• Cosby's lurid decade-old testimony about Canadian accuser read to jury

Cosbybecame the first African-American in 1965to get a starring rolein a weekly dramatic television series with I Spy.

His success skyrocketed with the role of the lovable American dad, Dr. Cliff Huxtable,on The Cosby Show from 1984-1992.

He was also the face ofwidespread advertising campaigns forCoca-Cola and Jell-O pudding.

Aftersexual assault allegations surfaced in 2014, however, his public image took a significant hit, even though many supporters remained outside the courthouse during his trial.

Prosecutors said even thoughthe case ended without a verdict, ithas been "important for sexual assault victims everywhere."

"Our jobin this, as prosecutors, [is to]take on the tough cases," said Steele."We do, and we do it because it's the right thing to do."