After deliberations that have lasted a little over four days, jurors in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial have told the judge they are deadlocked on all three counts of aggravated indecent assault. The
The jury has deliberated at least 28 hours including a 12-hour stretch yesterday that ended at 9:20 p.m. Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O’Neill was sympathetic to the work of the jurors but told them to continue to work on reaching a unanimous decision. “While you should not hesitate to re-examine your own views or change your opinion if your opinion is erroneous, do not feel compelled to surrender your honest belief. If after further deliberations, you are still deadlocked on some or all the charges, you should report that to me,” Judge O’Neill said
Upon the jury’s announcement that they were deadlocked, Cosby’s defense team requested a mistrial. The request was denied by Judge O’Neill who informed both the prosecution and the defense that he was not going to put a time limit on deliberations. “It’s simply inappropriate at this time … no matter how long it has been,” the judge said.
Throughout the four days of deliberations the jury has requested key pieces of evidence that included Cosby’s damning 2005 deposition under oath as well as legal definitions in certain parts of the testimony. The possibility of a deadlocked jury would be a bittersweet victory for Bill Cosby. If a mistrial is declared, Montgomery County prosecutors must make a decision as to whether or not to retry the case. Considering Cosby’s age, physical health and the cost to taxpayers, it would be a difficult and expensive proposition.
