One of the 12 original accusers in Andrea Constand’s 2005 civil suit against legendary comedian Bill Cosby, was elated to hear that the famous father figure had finally been arrested and charged, for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting a Temple University employee at his suburban Philadelphia home nearly twelve years ago.
“I’m so happy for Andrea,” Beth Ferrier told PEOPLE in a brief video clip. “I’m totally doing back flips. It has been such a totally horrific journey.”
On Wednesday, Dec. 30, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele announced they’d be seeking justice for Cosby’s victims. Cosby is now facing one charge of aggravated indecent assault for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting Constand, now 42, at his Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, mansion in January 2004, reports PEOPLE.
Although Cosby told investigators the sex was consensual, Constand has said it was not. According to her, she was slipping in and out of consciousness after the 78-year-old gave her pills and wine. In recent court documents she also revealed she is gay and was in a relationship with a woman at the time of the incident.
Shortly after his arrest, one of Cosby’s attorneys, Monique Pressley, released a statement vowing to fight the charge. “Make no mistake, we intend to mount a vigorous defense against this unjustified charge and we expect that Mr. Cosby will be exonerated by a court of law.” On Thursday, Dec. 31, Pressley also appeared on the “Today” show where she continued to defend Cosby telling Savannah Guthrie, “My client is not guilty. And there will be no consideration, on our part, for any sort of arrangement.”
Cosby is set to return to court for a preliminary hearing on Jan. 14 at 9:30 a.m. If convicted on the felony second degree charge of aggravated indecent assault, Cosby faces 5 to 10 years behind bars and a maximum fee of $25K.
