Bill Cosby is appealing the $59 million verdict, arguing that the trial was unfair and the costs were excessive
The defense team argues that the substantial payout sought for the 1972 allegations is excessive considering the comedian’s present circumstances.
Bill Cosby is attempting to overturn a significant civil judgment that requires him to pay nearly $60 million for a sexual assault that occurred in the 1970s.
Attorneys representing the 88-year-old submitted a motion for a new trial on Thursday, contending that the recent decision favoring accuser Donna Motsinger was erroneous. They assert that the judge inappropriately limited their defense by prohibiting inquiries regarding Motsinger’s history and that the ultimate financial figure is excessively high.
The case originates from a civil trial in 2026, during which a jury determined that Cosby was liable for drugging and assaulting Motsinger in 1972, while she was employed at a restaurant. Motsinger received $19.25 million for her suffering, along with an extra $40 million in punitive damages. Cosby’s legal team is currently challenging the $40 million figure, pointing out that it constitutes a third of his overall net worth.
They contend that imposing such a substantial bill on a blind, isolated man of his age fails to act as a deterrent for others. The court documents state that the penalty is meaningless for “an 88-year-old man with no sight who lives an isolated life.”
In addition to financial considerations, the defense is advocating for a retrial due to the manner in which the initial trial was conducted. Attorneys assert that they were prohibited from cross-examining Motsinger about the statements she provided to the police years prior and from introducing evidence of her previous drug use. They think that these absent details might have influenced the jury’s decision. Motsinger, now 84, has consistently asserted that the case was ultimately about ensuring the comedian faced consequences, previously stating, “Today, a jury saw the truth and held him accountable.” That signifies everything.
Cosby has faced numerous court appearances over the years due to a multitude of similar allegations. Beginning in 2018, he spent three years in a Pennsylvania prison, but a technicality ultimately overturned that criminal conviction in 2021.
New legislation permitting survivors to submit claims long after an incident has facilitated the recent civil conflict in California. If the court rejects this request for a new trial, Cosby will face one of the largest financial obligations of his life.
