Bill Cosby Arrives for First Day of Sexual Assault Trial With Actress Who Played Rudy on His Hit Show
Disgraced comic Bill Cosby arrived hand-in-hand with his TV daughter at a Pennsylvania court, where he stands trial for sexual assault.
Both Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show, and the comedian looked crestfallen as they arrived to Montgomery County Courthouse, where the 79-year-old faces trial for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a former Temple University employee, in 2004.
Read: Bill Cosby Reveals He Won't Take the Stand at His Sexual Assault Trial
Constand claims Cosby drugged her and sexually abused her. He has denied the allegations.
Pulliam and Cosby were flanked by security as they entered the courthouse, and did not speak to reporters.
In 2015, Pulliam was asked by Inside Edition what she thought of the allegations against Cosby.
"You know, it is very unfortunate, but that's not the man I know," she replied. "That is not what I experienced."
Cosby, who is said to be legally blind, will not take the stand in his trial.
Another Cosby Show cast member, TV wife Phylicia Rashad, also plans to attend the trial in the coming days.
Noticeably absent on day one was Cosby’s real wife, Camille.
Cosby winced as the prosecutor's opening statement to the jury accused him of sexually assaulting Constand.
Cosby’s lawyers countered that the alleged victim is a liar.
The first witness for the prosecution was Kelly Johnson, a former employee of Cosby's agent. She broke down in tears as she testified that Cosby drugged and raped her at the Bel-Air Hotel in 1996.
It has been reported that Cosby was attentive and alert during the whole trial.
Several Cosby accusers are also in attendance at the trial outside Philadelphia.
Victoria Valentino, a former Playboy bunny, says Cosby drugged and raped her in 1965 when she was 21.
She plans to be in court every day.
“I want to see justice done. I want her to know there are her sisters out here support Andria Constant and let her know that there are her sisters out here in support,” she told Inside Edition. “I hope he makes eye contact with me, because I want to stare at him and see who blinks first.”
Therese Serignese, who is suing Cosby in civil court for allegedly drugging and raping her in a Las Vegas dressing room in 1976, is also in attendance.
Certain to rattle Cosby is the presence of lawyer Gloria Allred, who represents 33 of his accusers.
“This is a historic day,” she told reporters outside the courtroom. “This is the first time Cosby is gonna face allegations against him. I'm looking forward to justice being done.”
Since 2014, a plethora of women have come forward, accusing Cosby of various instances of sexual misconduct. His accusers have included models Janice Dickinson and Beverly Johnson.
Cosby has denied all the accusers accusations.
The final juror for the trial was picked on May 25, and following the selection process, Cosby spoke to reporters.
“I just want to be very specific about the wonderful people of Allegheny County,” he said. “I want to also thank the sheriff’s department because they made everything very, very smooth here.”
It took three days to select the 12 jurors and six alternates.
Two of the jurors are black, a man and women both in their 30s. Five of the jurors are white men in their 20's or early 30's.
Read: Defense Objects to Mostly White Jurors in Cosby Case as Selection Process Begins
One juror says he knows nothing about the Cosby case because he only watches sports.
Two of the jurors are middle-aged white women, and one is a teacher.
The jurors will be sequestered at a hotel for the duration of the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks. They'll be allowed access to TV, iPads and the internet, but must avoid all news reports about the trial.
