Bill Cosby Ordered to Pay $19.25 Million for 1972 Sexual Assault

A Los Angeles civil court has ordered Bill Cosby to pay $19.25 million to Donna Motsinger, who accused him of drugging and raping her in 1972. The jury found Cosby liable for sexual assault and sexual battery, awarding Motsinger $17.5 million for past mental suffering and $1.75 million for future suffering. The verdict, delivered on March 10, 2023, followed an emotional trial in Santa Monica, California, where jurors also determined that Cosby acted with “malice, oppression, or fraud,” potentially leading to punitive damages in a subsequent phase of the trial.

Rolling StoneBill Cosby ordered to pay $19.25 million to woman he abused in 1972

Motsinger, now 84, first came forward as Jane Doe Number 8 in a 2005 lawsuit filed by Andrea Constand against Cosby. During the trial, Motsinger testified that Cosby befriended her while she worked as a waitress at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito, California. She alleged that he invited her to a recording of his standup act, where he provided her with wine and pills that incapacitated her. Motsinger stated she woke up disoriented and undressed, believing she had been assaulted.

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The trial included testimonies from other accusers, including Andrea Constand, who described her own assault by Cosby in 2004. Motsinger's attorney, Spencer Lucas, emphasized Cosby's history of drugging women, citing a videotaped deposition where Cosby admitted to obtaining Quaaludes with the intention of using them on women. Cosby, who has consistently denied the allegations against him, maintained that all encounters were consensual. His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed disappointment in the verdict and indicated plans to appeal, arguing that the case relied on speculation.

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The jury's decision is seen as a significant moment for survivors of sexual assault, with Motsinger stating, “It took 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete, but I hope it can help other women a little.” Caroline Heldman, a professor and co-founder of Stand With Survivors, remarked that the verdict sends a strong message that accountability for sexual assault can extend beyond decades.

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Following the verdict, Lucas stated, “This is a day of unmitigated justice for Donna Motsinger, all the other Cosby survivors, and survivors everywhere.” He highlighted the bravery Motsinger displayed in coming forward after so many years. In contrast, Bonjean criticized the trial's outcome, questioning the basis of Motsinger's claims and asserting that the case was built on conjecture.

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While the jury awarded Motsinger a substantial sum, Cosby's legal team has indicated their intention to appeal, suggesting ongoing disputes regarding the validity of the claims. Additionally, the legal landscape surrounding sexual assault cases, particularly regarding statutes of limitations, remains a topic of discussion, especially in California, where such civil cases can be pursued without time constraints.

Bill Cosby ordered to pay $19.25 million to woman he abused in 1972

• “It took 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete, but I hope it can help other women a little ,” — Donna Motsinger, Plaintiff

Bill Cosby ordered to pay $19.25 million to woman he abused in 1972

• “This jury is sending a strong message that rapists will be held accountable, even if half a century has passed.” — Caroline Heldman, Professor and Co-founder of Stand With Survivors

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• “To fulfill his sexual deviancy, he surreptitiously drugged women with sedatives, often combined with alcohol, with the intent of rendering them unconscious so he could have his way with them,” — Spencer Lucas, Motsinger’s Attorney

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• “We will of course appeal the judgment,” — Jennifer Bonjean, Cosby’s Attorney

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