Transcripts For FOXNEWSW Shepard Smith Reporting 20180925

Norristown, pennsylvania. It comes five months after a jury convicted cosby on three felonies for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in 2004. That woman is draw come stad. She wacome stand. She was a basketball administrator. She said she has experienced years of pain and anxiety since the attack 14 years ago. In a victim impact statement she said quoting here, life as i knew it ended that night. Dozen have accused him of sexual misconduct. This was the only case that went to trial because in the others the statute of limitations had expired. Bill cosby now 81 years old. Is he legally blind. His defense argued that he was too frail for prison but in the judges words, today its time for justice. Lets get to Rick Leventhal, is he outside the courtroom in norristown, pennsylvania, outside philadelphia. Rick . Great coverage all day. Give me an idea. We just saw cosby come out. That was courtesy of a camera positioned throughout the trial and sentencing outside in the hallway. We werent sure which direction bailiffs would take bill cosby once he was convicted and sentenced to take him to jail and apparently they did come out the front and down that back hallway to take him into the interior of the courthouse whereby the way, trace, its pouring rain here. If you see break up thats because of the bad weather we are getting. Gloria allred the attorney representing. So alleged victims was just outside trying to hold a press conference and had to cut it short because they were just getting poured on out here there will be another press conference coming up with the d. A. Kevin steele inside okay, we have someone speaking now. Lets listen, in trace. Prosecutors as administrators of justice have a responsibility to protect the innocent and are prohibited from offering any evidence that is untrue. We have now learned and will prove that bill cosby was denied his right to a fair trial because the d. A. Of Montgomery County, kevin steele used falsified evidence against him. After being tipped off by a recent online publication that a tape recording mr. Steele played during trial was doctored. Mr. Cosby retained a forensic expert to conduct an audio authenticity analysis of the recording. Deanna constand, the mother of Andrea Constand has surreptitiously and illegally made the recording of mr. Cosby in 2005 without his knowledge. Or consent. That recording was provided to bruce caster while he was d. A. Of Montgomery County. Mr. Caster determined that Deanna Constand surreptitious recording constituted a potential felony under pennsylvanias law which required ms. Constand to obtain mr. Cosbys consent to the recording. Years later, in 200414, kevin steele beat mr. Caster for d. A. By unethically attacking him for not prosecuting my husband. Their actor used the illegal recording in both trials claiming that it was an authentic recording of the 2005 conversation. Mr. Steele relied heavily on the recording in both trials, ultimately convincing the jury and in the second trial to return a verdict of guilty. Earlier this month on september 12th, 2018, an online publication reported that a Montgomery County court official, who requested anonymity had revealed that the original recording made by Deanna Constand was doctored and contained information that would exonerate mr. Cosby. The defense Team Immediately sent its copy of the recording to a forensic expert who after extensive analysis has unequivocally concluded, quote this is not a true representation of the original content or conversation. Without question, this is not an authentic recording, end quote. At no time before or during the trial did the d. A. Disclose that recording was inauthentic, much lesses that that it had been falsified. After the media reports sur fossad on september 12th, Montgomery County detectives acknowledged and confirmed to the defense team that they could not authenticate the recording and did not know who made the original recording. I mr. Cosbys defense team will be filing a motion seeking Immediate Release for the prosecutions use of this falsified evidence. The d. A. s use of this falsified audio clip at trial is deeply prejudicial. Yet, it represents just one of many issues that resulted in the denial of mr. Cosbys right to a fair trial. These egregious injustices must be corrected. Thank you. How is mr. Cosby doing . Mr. Cosby is doing great and mr. Cosby knows that god is watching over him. He knows that these are lie lies. They persecuted jesus and look what happened. Not saying mr. We know what this country has done to black men for centuries. Mr. Cosby is doing fine. Is he holding up well. And everybody who wants to say anything negative, you are a joke as well. Thank you. Sexual assault, thank you. [woman shouting] trace ebony benson. You hear another won of bill cosbys spokes woman. They are trying to get this in the bloodstream so they can set up the appeal. I want to go back to Rick Leventhal. We heard from advocates on both sides the victims as well as mr. Cosby. What are we expecting to hear from the attorneys and when, mr. Mor more importantly. Andrew wyatt and eboni benson representing the defense team reading from a letter that camille wrote, bill cosbys wife trying to get the prosecutor off. He shouldnt be hearing the retrial but in fact he did. He was there for the sentencing today and he did in fact sentence bill cosby to a minimum of three years and maximum of 10 years in state prison. The d. A. , kevin steele said cosby belonged in prison. We will hear from him at a News Conference probably any minute now. Gloria allred left the rain to go inside. We believe we will hear from her once the d. A. And his team are finished speaking. Clearly, this was a big victory for them because they filed win a conviction in first trial. Did win a conviction on the three counts of aggravated indecent assault in the second trial. The judge merged those three counts into one and sentenced bill cosby this afternoon to those three to ten years. You know, part of the reason why the judge said he gave that sentence was because of Andrea Constands victim impact statement in which we said we would never know the full extent of bill cosbys double life as a sexual predator but his decades long reign of terror as a serial rapist is over. I think its worth reading what else she wrote, trace. When the Sexual Assault happened i was a young woman bremming with confidence and looking forward to a future bright with possibilities. 15 years later im a middle aged woman stuck in a Holding Pattern for most of her adult life unable to heal fully or move forward. Bill cosby took my beautiful Young Healthy experience and crushed it and robbed me of my health and vitality, my open nature and my trust in myself and others. So Andrea Constands words rang very strongly with the judge who also, as you know, trace, earlier today ruled that bill cosby was in fact a sexually violent predator. He must register as a sex offender. That his victims must be notified and that he cannot have contact with his alleged victims and certainly not with Andrea Constand or her family. Andrea constand was in the courtroom. And if i could, i would like to bring Alyssa Caplin in real quick. She is one of our producers. She was in the courtroom and you watched step a little bit closer. You watched bill cosby after the verdict was read. After he was sentenced. Doing, what, took his tie off . Right. So there was a brief recess while the judge tried to decide if he would be granted bail or if he would stay out on bail or go straight to jail. And it looked like his legal team was preparing him in case he was led away in handcuffs. He took off his jacket and removed his tie and rolled up his sleeves. Could you see him during of the time the sentence was read. I could see his back. He didnt react. He sat there. Andrea same thing didnt react. They both looked very calm. Andrea at one point though after the sentence was read looked to be like hunched over and kind of just looking down contemplating what had happened. Trace i know there were several other women in there who had claimed similar bad acts one of them was Janet Dickerson you went up to her after the sentence was revealed. After the sentence was revealed and in that recess i saw her running down the hallway and i asked how do you feel . She said vindicated. She was sitting there in court looking at him. The other women had been told that they would be kicked out if they reacted in any way. They were very calm and they wanted to stay there they wanted to see it through. They have been waiting for this day for a long time. We had heard from them yesterday some of the women. And from one of their attorneys that they believed that he should go to prison, that this was something that he deserved. Did you see that sort of sense of they were pleased with the verdict once they were able to show any emotion . Yeah, they were all very calm. I think they were waiting for press conference. They didnt want to say too much. They have been waiting for this. A lot of them have been in court for the first trial. Had been in court for the retrial have. Been here every day. This is something that they just have wanted to see and were waiting to see. They didnt know how it was going. But obviously they hoped for a certain outcome. Terrific work in the courtroom. Alyssa caplin one of our producers here at fox. We saw him being led away by Sheriff Deputies in handcuffs. My understanding is he will be taken to a Montgomery County jail in lower providence township first where he will be processed and awaiting transport to the State Correctional Institute. Phoenix. Which is on the State Correctional Institute campus. Thats where he will be evaluated and then put into the prison population, trace. Again, you know, his attorneys say he is legally blind. My understanding is that they will assign an inmate if they deem that he is, in fact, legally blind to act as his guide when he needs to move around inside that prison for at least, we believe, the next three years, trace. Trace the correctional facility will actually test his eyesight to make sure is he legally blind. Rick leventhal Senior Correspondent on the scene. Rick, stand by in case we get more spokes persons. Bring in a woman who practices civil litigation in both federal and state courts and the question here becomes three to ten years. We kind of knew it was going on. He could have served 30 years this was concurrent instead of consecutive. Yes. Trace he could be out as early as two years and nine months with good behavior. He has to serve at least 80 of the three. But he can get out before the 10. So, yes, there is uncertain at this here. The world is watching. This cosby was not just americas dad, but this is the first trial, celebrity trial we have seen in the me too era. The judge, i can imagine had a ton of pressure on him to do the right thing. He had a lot of discretion. And he seemed to have exercised that discretion. There was no minimum. The judge could have given him zero up to 10 years it seems like he went on the lower end here. Trace we saw bill cosby walk out. The image is going to be on the front page of every paper tomorrow and news tonight. Bill cosby walking out in handcuffs. Was there any chance this judge did not remand him . Custody . No. The judge found him to be a violent sexual predator. He made that ruling. What that means is the judge believed he was going to reoffend, that he was going to reoffend in a violent way. So when you try to make the articlement as the defense attorney, your honor, let him out on hours arrest pending appeal not a good argument. The judge has ruled is he a risk to society. There was no possibility he was going to get, you know, off on house arrest pending the appeal. Trace stand by if you will. We want to get you the table set here. Norristown, pennsylvania, if you are just joining us, bill cosby has been sentenced to three to 10 years in state prison. 3 to 10 years its a pretty wide gap. He could serve, were told, on good behavior, could be out as early as two years and nine months. Thats up to the prison sentence itself. We have heard from bill cosbys spokes people. We have heard from we have heard from Gloria Allred and some of the victims here. We have heart victim impact statements. This thing was emotional and, yet, through it all, bill cosby did not say a single thing. He was asked if he wanted to make a statement. He said no. When he was brought, led away inenned ha cuffs, he didnt say a word. He showed zero expression and our producer in the courtroom, Alyssa Caplin was saying that really bill cosby didnt make a move while the sentence was actually being read which is a far cry from what happened when the actual verdict came on, screamed at the prosecutor called him a blank hole and today he is sent to prison and no emotion at all. Im not surprised at that look, he has made it clear they are going to appeal. Anything said in that courtroom could be used against him. Im not surprised that his lawyer said you are not going to make any statement. You are not going to beg for leniency. What i am shocked about his family wasnt there to speak to the judge and plead to the judge on his behalf. We would have liked to have seen his wife that could have possibly suede the judge in giving him some more leniency than he did. That was shocking the fact that bill cosby didnt talk not shocking. We know they are setting up the appeal. His publicist made a statement that they used doctored evidence against him. We know another grounds for appeal is the fact that this judge allowed five alleged victims to testify in this trial. Thats prior bad acts evidence and that is arguably a ground to get this entire conviction appealed. Trace what about the division of violent sexual predator. If he gets out in two years and nine months or three yours or fours years or whatever it is going to be, there are hoops to jump through because of that designation. They will appeal the conviction. There are serious ra ramifications when you violent sexual predator. He will have to register for the rest of his life as a sex patrol predator. Not for a limited time. Counseling for the rest of his life. Not a good mark to have on you. Part of the appeals process like i said. Not sure if it will be the ground to get the conviction overturned the fact that five prior alleged victims testified, that could be a grounds. Trace it could be. Stand by if you will. Lets bring in a reporter who was actually inside the courtroom when the judge handed down cosbys sentence of at least three years behind bars. Is he bobby allen, he covers criminal justice for whyy news. I was reading your tweets as you were sending them out of the courtroom there. Giftd us an idea of the mood and bill cosbys demeanor when the judge was just getting im sorry, we have bill cosby walking out right now. Where is that camera . There he is hold on a second if you will, bobby, we have bill cosby now walking out. You heard earlier his spokes people say that bill cosby was doing final. That bill cosby was wrongly convicted. Of course, setting up the appeal here. Bill cosby is now being placed into a vehicle. He will be taken directly to Montgomery County jail where he will be processed. The process of how long it takes to actual go from the jail to the prison, im unclear. Anitha maybe you know. This its a process. Get him checked out medically as well. Its interesting we heard in prison they might assign him an inmate that may assist him because is he in blind and in poor health that will be an interesting thing to see. Trace bill cosby is in the car and taken to Montgomery County jail. I want to bring bobby allen back. He covers criminal justice for whyy news. Bill cosby is moving and i want to get your feel of what he was like and what the mood was like in the courtroom right before the judge gave the sentence. So the judge gave away pretty quickly that he was going to get a state sentence. He said cosbys defense team pushed for probation. I dont think thats appropriate, the judge said. Cosby defense team pushed for an intermediate county sentence. I dont think thats appropriate. I think total confinement is appropriate. And that sounds kind of wonky to a general audience. I cover criminal justice in pennsylvania and i knew right away that meant he is getting a state sentence in the commonwealth of pennsylvania that means at least two years and indeed when judge oneil said he is getting between 3 to 10 years that wasnt a surprise to me. But it was a surprise to many people because they are thinking what is the sentence . What is he saying . It was a very long winded statement from judge oneil from the bench. But the whole time cosby is just looking down, leaning back in his chair. Not having much of a reaction. I turned around to look at there was a row of accusers about half a dozen of them and they, too stoney faced, looking straight ahead. It was remarkable how quis the courtroom was. I mean really really quiet. That added to the intense suspense. Trace bobby, even after the sentence was read there was no outburst in the courtroom. The victims didnt say a word. Very device as was cosby . Yeah, when the sentence was read, cosbys sentence team started right away saying we have a really good appeal issue. You ought to release him so he can work on this appeal. They went back in chambers and hard it out. And i went to the hallway as did many accusers like a satisfactory reporters. And then you did spot a few cosby accusers inconsolably crying with heir attorneys. There was a few others who were hugging and tears streaming down their face. But, in the courtroom, they really contained that emotion, which was truly amazing. And cosby, too you know, like a reporter said earlier, you know, he took off his jacket, he rolled up his sleeve. Sheriff deputies surrounded him and he you he was about to get handcuffed. They did not put the cuffs on in the preps of the journalist. Sheriff deputies sealed it off and said if you take out your phones you will be arrested. None of us took photos of it he had a really thin wooden cane between his wrist and walked by. And reporter said cosby do you have any comment . He didnt look up he looked down straight at his feet as his handlers led him to be transported. Trace great common tore and insight for us. Bobby al allyn. The juxtaposition you saw seconds ago bill cosby walking into the courthouse with his team and you see a few seconds later bill cosby walking out of the courthouse in handcuffs. That is the image that will be indelible for many, many years to come. Coming up, we will talk to a reporter who was inside the courtroom when bill cosby were in memphis, tennessee, a city with one of the highest increases of womenowned businesses in the u. S. Its really this constant juxtaposition when youre a mom and an entrepreneur. With more businesses starting every day, how do they plan for their Financial Wellness . I am very mindful of the sacrifices that i make. So i have to manage my time wisely. Plan your Financial Life with prudential. Bring your challenges. Im all about my bed. This mattress is dangerously comfortable. When i get in, i literally say ahh. Meet the leesa mattress. A better place to sleep. The leesa mattress is designed to provide strong support, relieve pressure and optimize airflow to keep you cool. Read our reviews, then try the leesa mattress in your own home. Order during our fall mattress sale and save. For a limited time get 150 dollars off and Free Shipping too. Sale prices are available right now. Go to buyleesa. Com today. You need this bed. Trace wow, here we go. Bill cosby now on his way to the Montgomery County jail where he will be processed and then he goal on to prison. We have just been told we will hear from the prosecutor in this case, the d. A. , kevin steele, we may hear from other prosecutors as well and, of course, we are also expecting to hear from the defense. And everybody is asking in this trial right now, in this case what happens once bill cosby actually gets to prison to spend between 3 and 10 years . Will he be in solitary . Will very a roommate . Whats the setup there . Were going to find out more as we go on. We want to bring back in our Senior Correspondent Rick Leventhal outside the courtroom in norris town, pennsylvania. We will hear from a lot of the people, rick in fact next 30 to 40 minutes. Indeed, trace. I just spoke with our Photographer Mike fay began who got the images of of bill cosby being placed in the backseat of the plaque explorer and not perhaps the transport that some people might have expected. Bill cosby appeared to be moving very slowly possibly because he was shackled at the ankles along with the hand cuffs on his wrist. He was backed into the open back door of the suv, placed in the backseat. They closed the door. Eventually that vehicle then pulled away from the curb, and headed towards what we believe to be county facility where he would then be processed and then transported to a state prison where he is expected to spend at least the next couple of years and possibly more than three years up to 10 years behind bars for the three counts of aggravated indecent assault that he was convicted of and then sentenced to today. So, a dramatic day for a man once known as americas dad. A man who lived the life of a celebrity for more than 50 years, one of the most famous people certainly in america, perhaps in the world in disgrace, in hand cuffs, leaving this courthouse and his celebrity life behind heading to prison. His lawyers will appeal. But the judge wouldnt let bill cosby out on bail while they consider that appeal and we do, as you mentioned, expect to hear from d. A. Kevin steele who fought very hard to try this case and they failed the first time to win a conviction in the first trial. They succeeded today. And will succeeded in april with that second trial. So now 34 months after these charges were first brought up, where the case was first being considered for prosecution, bill cosby has been sentenced and the 81yearold, according to his attorney legally blind comedian will now be in a state facility. Trace rick lesson that you stand by if you will. Joining me now on the phone is michael, a reporter for the associated press. He has been in the courtroom and really is, its a stunning image when you watch bill cosby walk out of the courtroom in hand cuffs. [broken audio] taken away in handcuffs, walking out no real emotion. Trace michael, im going to stop you right there. We have a bad connection. If you could recall back. In michael sis sack. I cant imagine bill cosby Walking Around in an orange jumpsuit with the general population. Up to the jail to decide from now on its his hand not in the judges hands nor suspect to the prosecution. What a dramatic image that is to see bill cosby. Americas dad, 81 years old. He likes frail. He cant see. Walking out in handcuffs. I think this is an image that he will always be remembered by and trace, there were some passionate arguments today in court. You had the prosecution saying, your honor, he is going to reoffend. Have you got to remand him. Have you got to give him a higher sentence. And then you have the definition saying, your honor, he is 81 years old. He is ill. He is blind. How is he going to victimize anyone else . Good arguments on both sides here. Trace appeal process underway. Just beginning. Trace not just in court but the court of public opinion. The evidence was doctored. A lot more to come. Right. Trace we will hear from the d. A. Kevin steele talking about the prosecution of bill cosby just taken away in an suv. We thought it might be in a police car. Instead it was an suv, bill cosby now going to jail to be processed to make his way to a prison. 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Convicted felon named william h. Cosby jr. Left the courtroom in handcuffs headed off to state prison for his crimes. Its been a long wait for our victim Andrea Constand as it has for the other women who have endured similar Sexual Assaults and rapes at the hand of the defendant. It has also been a long road for our Prosecution Team which has worked hard to get justice for Andrea Constand overcoming every hurdle at us and Defense Attorneys along the way. For decades, the defendant has been able to hide his true self and hide his crimes using his fame and fortune. He has hidden behind a character created, dr. Cliff hundrehuxtable, a character on v and so was the family but it was fiction. Before bill cosby became a convicted felon, taken away in hand cuffs to begin paying for his crimes, a lot of people believed that thats who he was. But we know otherwise. He used his acting skills and endearing tv personality to win over his victims and then keep them silent about what he did to them. So now finally bill cosby has been unmasked and we have seen the real man as he is headed off to prison. So, throughout this investigation and prosecution, we have treated the defendant like any other defendant. Our office prosecutes approximately 9500 cases a year. And as prosecutors, its our job to follow the evidence wherever it leads and to whomever it leads and file charges accordingly. And then follow through on the prosecution of those crimes. Thats what we do every day. We do the right thing and thats what we did in this case. We do the right thing because someone, who has a lot of money, someone who is famous, someone who can get a lot of attention all over the world by showing up some place to eat shouldnt be given a pass for their crimes and allowed to walk free because he and his defense team are going to make it hard to prosecute him or because it will be expensive to prosecute him. Every victim deserves justice. Once that jury said guilty and said guilty and then said guilty to all three charges of aggravated indecent assault, the sentencing guidelines indicated that the defendant should go to prison. We argued for the stiffest sentence to reflect that egregious nature of the crime. Givegiving women drugs so he could then have no resistance it is a very serious crime and the judge spoke of that today. It doesnt matter that he is only now being prosecuted and called to account for those crimes. In the eyes of this court he is a convicted felon and shouldnt be given a pass. Im pleased that judge oneil followed the sentencing guidelines handed down as fair and significant sentence that reflects the severity of cosbys crimes and the lifelong impact on andrea. Let me talk about andrea for a moment here. I cant say enough about her. We are all better off because she is in our lives. Youve heard about how this assault changed her life. She has been through an ordeal these past 14 years, and she has been solid and steadfast. Put herself out like this for years in front of a worldwide audience is extremely difficult for anyone. She has been a rock. She has done the right thing over and over and over again. She went to the police and started this investigation. She told us she would cooperate with the prosecution. Long after she thought this ordeal had been put behind her. And she could have stayed home in canada and she could have lived a quiet life, but she knew it was important to see that justice was served and we had some time when we were waiting for the jury the first time around, and as some of you know i coach a little basketball. So i was trying to get tips from andrea on this. Its not every day that i get to be around a person of this caliber of talent in the basketball arena. And when we had pretty good indication of where that jury was going. I went to her and asked her what she wanted to do. Sticking with the basketball aspect. She did one of these, and said to always follow through. She did. And it has led us to where we are today. She agreed to seek justice. After that first trial ended, and we knew what we were going to go through again, and she never wavered. So, we reached justice, we got to hear from the jury guilty verdicts. And right there standing with andrea and her family were the other courageous victims. Im overwhelmed by the number of women who are willing to go through this process with us, who are willing to testify at trial, telling their stories about being drugged and sexually assaulted or raped by bill cosby. I especially applaud the six witnesses who did have a chance to face the defendant in court and tell the jury and the world what happened to them. The courage of kelly johnson, heidi thomas, selan, janet dirk kerrson janet kenny was tremendous. They also endured significant victim shaming which should never happen in a courtroom but anybody that was there saw it. And i hope this trial and seeing the defendant brought to justice helped each of them and all of the other victims heal in their own way. And i want to also thank her attorneys delore his, jihanni and b. B. Cints who were with her every step of the way with this as well as this Prosecution Team and it was nice to have thunder and lightning back with me. [laughter] herprofessionals and have been with me the whole way. And i cant say how appreciative i am of that and also their talents which, again, you got to see in court when stu had another chance at an expert there. Our appellate unit and you got to meet tracy in this case when she argued the constitutionality of it. And did a marvelous job and were so happy that she is a part of our team. Caroline goldstein next to her. You know, caroline has been the quiet one behind us helping us each step of the way. And working diligently all hours. Adrienneaftery nexadrienne jaffl these folks when this stuff keeps hitting and motions keep coming, they are the reason we are so prepared each and every day so face any challenge that came before us. There is also a number of the Victim Advocates and these folks are there every day to support the victims and, you know, and do so much to help them walk this walk. Our detective bureau. They are amazing. And they work and this work and they work and helped us to get through every one of those challenges. Chief fry is here behind b. B. The Police Department is exceptional Police Department led by compensational man shoes of john who we also owe a debt of gratitude to. These folks are the best and our Law Enforcement community is an Amazing Group of people. So, there has been a lot of the talk about this case and connecting it to movements across the country and i understand that there is a larger societal context of this case that may have been helped to be advanced, the rights of victims to come forward. The lening of the statut lengthe of limitations and to report to Law Enforcement they have been a victim of crime all good outcomes. I have to say that since we first charged the defendant on december 30th of 2016, this defendant has been treated like every other defendant that our office prosecutes. And there is about 9500 of them a year as i said. Adult cases. Wfollowed our Standard Practice and kept our eye on the ball. What was important is getting justice for the victim in this case Andrea Constand. And so i stand before all of you, pleased that we have done that pleased that the defendant was convicted. Pleased that he was finally sentenced in a court of law. And that we have closed the book on that chapter. So, before we wrap up and take questions, and i think b. B. Asked to say a couple words. I wanted to share with you that jennifer storm, who is the commonwealth of pennsylvanias Victim Advocate has been in touch with the many, many other victims and the ones that have come forward here to say that they, too, were victims of this defendant. And as you know, pennsylvania law limits the other victims role in the sentencing hearing that we just went through. But it is important that they have a voice. Its important that they be allowed to tell the stories of what happened to them for their own healing, so janet has organized a press event and she is going to give everybody time between now and when that starts in a short while over at savior hall, 410 east air have y. Street here in norristown a few blocks away so that the many other victims will be there. And its my understanding many of them would like to speak at that point. So i would encourage anybody to go over to them. B. B. You asked to Say Something and then i will take questions. I requested 30 seconds because i wasnt fortunate enough to be here for the verdict. We just wanted to extend our heart felt thanks to the Prosecution Team. Kevin steele, kristin fedden, stu riden, the detectives, everyone who has worked in this case has just been so wonderful. Delores and i are exprosecutors so we recognize the brilliance in them. This team was not only compassionate to the victim but also so tenacious in the preparation of the case. Just a marvelous job and we are so appreciative. I have to say one word about andrea, you know, we have represented andrea now for almost 14 years. She is an incredible person. She has gone through this process and the many processes with both courage and grace and its just she is just a marvelous person. And we have been fortunate to represent her. The final thing i wanted to say is for us, we get to close this chapter of our book, fictional book, but we get to close it today. For other victims they are just now beginning to write their own books and hopefully they will feel safer and more free to do so. Thank you. Thank you so much. We will take questions. Will ms. Constand be speaking today . I want to know how you feel today now that this is finally here. No. Its been 34 months. We had a mistrial on the first trial. Able to be successful on the second trial. Looking back now, what do you think was critical in getting the conviction of mr. Cosby . There are so many aspects of the evidence that we had that we felt was very strong. Of course, his own words which basically spelled out what he did. And the jury heard that i think another aspect that i would be remiss if i didnt talk about is dr. Ziv and the better understanding of victims and what they go through that she was able to tell the jury and discuss with them and i dont know whether that had an impact on the jury or not. But, we felt that it was powerful evidence to have in the case. So, there is a number of things in this case that were verywerevery, very strongd continue to be strong. Im confident where we are on the case. How would you characterize seeing mr. Cosby in handcuffs. I know you left the courtroom but you might have seen pictures. It was pretty significant seeing him walk out of court in handcuffs. What does that august mean . Its not a cause for celebration. We take seriously taking of someones liberty. I dont apologize for my job. Our job is to separate the predators from the good people in our community. And that happened today. And that happened when he was escorted out of the courtroom by the sheriffs in hand cuffs. Next. Everybody is too hot. No other questions . If i can. Okay. I work for an africanamerican Radio Station there have been many in the africanamerican trace there have you it kevin steele there. Pretty emotional press conference. He began by saying bill cosby for years and years hidden by Cliff Huxtable that was a fiction nabil character. We saw bill cosbys reality today saying hey he walked out of here in hand cuffs and that will be the image that everybody will remember americas dad walking out of the courthouse. His jacket off, his sleeves rolled up in handcuffs. Were going to have continuing coverage. Bill cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years in state prison coming up on Shepard Smith reporting. If you have psoriasis,. 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Trace you saw saw the press conference given by District Attorney kevin steele. Andrea con stand did not speak but he said we are all better to have her in our lives. I know she didnt speak, rick, but her victim impact statement was powerful and really she saw it through for the better part of 14 years. Yeah. And the judge said that played a big role in his decision to sentence bill cosby to prison and the d. A. , a couple things stood out from kevin steele. He said when asked about bill cosbys age and infirmity. He said is he convicted felon and shouldnt be given a pass. He said its a fair and significant sentence that reflects the severity of his crime and lifetime impact on andrea con stand who said her life was in essence shattered when this happened and bring this trial. The d. A. Was asked about seeing bill cosby in hand cuffs. He said it was not a cause for celebration. Said that he wouldnt apologize for their job, which is to separate the predators from the good people in this community and he said that happened today when the deputies put the cuffs on bill cosby and walked him out of this courthouse behind me and put him in Unmarked Police suv and drove him out of here, trace, to take him to county jail and on to state prison. Trace what an image. Nicely done, Rick Leventhal. We lost his phone earlier, michael sisak; i want your the thing that struck you the most in the courtroom. We saw the hand cuff picture what struck you the most inside the courtroom. I think its the finality of all of this. This was a guy who was americas dad who was revered as Cliff Huxtable and transcended comedian and, you know, finally was hitting him. The conviction, he lashed out in court. Here he was withdrawn. He, of course, was handcuffed and led away. I think seeing that finality and seeing the accuser, the people that say they were victimized by bill cosby seeing them see this and be present for it and having emotional reaction, you know, hugging each other, Janice Dickinson saying who gets the last laugh kevin steele indicated just a few minutes ago hung jury in the first trial Andrea Constand wanted to see this through and different image than the one bill cosby has projected for many, many years. Trace i have to go, michael. I wanted your final thoughts. Did you ever think when you covered this so long ago that you would see bill cosby walking out out of the courthouse in handcuffs. I think there was doubt he has a lot of money. The jury didnt come to a verdict in this case. None of this would have been possible without my colleague mary clair dale. She went to court and made sure those depositions were unsealed so the world could see what bill cosby said in that deposition. Trace nice job from your crew,ing mcrew. Thank you very much. Its powerful image, powerful press conference. I think this is a victory not just for ms. Constand but for all of mr. Cosbys alleged victims and all other victims of Sexual Assault. We are in a new era. This is the me too era. Victims will be believed. They will receive justice and they should speak out and tell their truth. Trace thank you so much. Thank you. Trace 3 to 10 years he is going to the jail as we speak and on to state prison for bill cosby. Im Trace Gallagher in for Shepard Smith. Your world with neil cavuto next. In a crossfit gym, were really engaged with who we are as people and making everybody feel welcome. Ordering custom ink tshirts has been a really smart decision for our business. I love the custom ink design lab because its really easy to use. They have Customer Service that you can reach anytime. Tshirts help us immediately get a sense of who we are as a group. From the moment clients walk in, theyre able to feel like part of the family. [spokesman] custom ink has hundreds of products for your business and Free Shipping. Upload your logo or start your design today at customink. Com. Ing. The weapons of unsubstantiated smears will dissuade competent and good mere of all political persuasions from service. Leader mcconnell owes an apology to dr. Ford for labeling her allegations a smear job. I take the allegation serious im looking forward to hearing on thursday they will be on the record under oath and it will be an opportunity for us to, again, hear both sides. Defended himself. He has a right to defend himself and clear his name. The democrats are playing a con game con. But its a very dangerous