Bill Cosby verdict reaction: 'Money can't buy you freedom'
The guilty verdict in Bill Cosby’s retrial drew an outpouring of reaction from the courthouse, across the region and on social media.
In Philadelphia and Norristown, some people said they support the verdict, while others questioned it. Here are some of their reactions:
For the verdict
Jamie Lange, 52, said at Independence Mall that she wanted Cosby exposed.
“I was sick of the victim shaming. It was insane,” Lange said. “It’s nice that money can’t buy you freedom.”
Lili Bernard, one of Cosby’s accusers, said, “If you still believe that he’s innocent, then you’re either stupid or evil.”
Outside the courthouse, Lili Bernard, one of Cosby's accusers, said people who don't believe he is guilty must either be "stupid or evil." pic.twitter.com/VBa8zEeg7P
— Michaelle Bond (@MichaelleBond) April 26, 2018
Duncan MacDonald, 55, of Manayunk, said Cosby should have been found guilty the first time around.
“I don’t care who he is. I don’t care if he’s Bill Cosby or Harvey Weinstein,” MacDonald said. “The abuse has been there and it needs to stop.”
Ronald Blue, 33, of Philadelphia, said his father attended Mary Channing Wister Elementary School with Cosby. While Blue and his family would watch the Cosby Show regularly as a child, he said his father thought Cosby was a “nasty person” and never would join them.
“In some way, in some form, justice has been served,” Blue said about the verdict. As for Cosby: “I just hope he knows God.”
>> READ MORE: Bill Cosby is guilty. What happens next?
Against the verdict
David Smith, 65, of Nicetown, was upset.
“I grew up with Bill Cosby, jello pudding and all that. I grew up watching him. I don’t think it’s right,” Smith said. “I think the lady was lying on him to get money.”
Amy Diahn, 32, loved watching The Cosby Show. She said of the verdict, "It's not fair. It's totally wrong. And he's old."
— Michaelle Bond (@MichaelleBond) April 26, 2018
Dee Fass, 53, of Philadelphia, called the verdict a “shame.”
“It’s a crying, crying shame,” Fass said. “It’s a shame about the person he projected to be and a shame about the women who waited so long.”
Fass disagreed that Cosby was guilty, saying, “women know what’s going on when they go to a man’s house at that time of night.”
A victory for the #MeToo movement
On social media, some called the verdict a turning point for the #MeToo movement.
The Bill Cosby trial is a turning point for the #MeToo Movement-in a "he said, she said situation" SHE WON.
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) April 26, 2018
Activist Bird Milliken on Cosby verdict: "Since the #MeToo movement, women have gained credibility. Unfortunately, that's what it took." pic.twitter.com/5mhnaTQbI8
— Michaelle Bond (@MichaelleBond) April 26, 2018
A call to bring President Trump to justice
Some said other powerful figures accused of sexual assault — such as President Trump — should also be brought to justice.
Would LOVE the same beautiful Justice that just convicted Bill Cosby today to make its way over to Harvey Weinstein, trump, Steve Wynn, Bill O’Reilly, Kevin Spacey and more. ALL sexual predators should be charged and locked away, not just those who are black and brown.
— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) April 26, 2018
Now that #Cosby has been convicted can we have the same energy for 45…who actually bragged about sexually assaulting women
— Malik Spann (@BLITZMagPrez) April 26, 2018
Outside the courthouse, Cosby’s accusers embraced and fought back tears
3 hours after a jury convicted Cosby of sex assault, a few accusers huddle on the courthouse steps, video-chatting w/ accuser Jewel Allison pic.twitter.com/ltf9bn9173
— Michaelle Bond (@MichaelleBond) April 26, 2018
Lili Bernard, one of Cosby's accusers, fought tears on the steps on the courthouse. "I feel like my faith in humanity has been restored."
— Michaelle Bond (@MichaelleBond) April 26, 2018
Cosby accuser Victoria Valentino: “the justice system is working.” She teared up on steps of courthouse, overwhelmed with emotion.
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 26, 2018
District Attorney Kevin Steele lauded Cosby’s chief accuser, Andrea Constand.
STEELE: The most important person in this is Andrea Constand. Fourteen years later it might be easy to forget that she is the first courageous person to stand up and go to the authorities and say that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted her
— Jeremy Roebuck (@jeremyrroebuck) April 26, 2018
Inside the courtroom, the verdict drew sobs and sighs of relief
Cosby accusers who sobbed loudly were removed from the courtroom after O'Neill yelled "order in the court!"
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 26, 2018
Cosby accuser Lili Bernard had to be escorted out of court after it is announced that Cosby is guilty on all counts, since she was so overcome with emotion. Cosby has stayed nearly expressionless.
— Bobby Allyn (@BobbyAllyn) April 26, 2018
Constand displayed little emotion.
Andrea Constand is staring straight ahead, showing little emotion.
— Laura McCrystal (@LMcCrystal) April 26, 2018
So did Cosby.
Cosby, offers little visible reaction. Some of his accusers in court let out audible sighs of relief
— Jeremy Roebuck (@jeremyrroebuck) April 26, 2018
Cosby looking down at the defense table, appearing sullen. But showing now visible emotion
— Jeremy Roebuck (@jeremyrroebuck) April 26, 2018
Read all the coverage on the Cosby trial here. Learn more about the Bill Cosby case with our day-by-day recap of the trial, timeline, and explainer on everything you need to know about the case and its major players.