# Bill Cosby: Guilty! **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 26, 2018, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174 "2018-04-26T17:53:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![buddha\_david](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ee7513/32.png) [@buddha\_david](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/buddha_david)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/61 "2018-04-27T20:07:57Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > Just this week, the Golden State Killer was caught, he’s now in his 70s and a man who murdered two people and abducted, raped and murdered two teens over 18 years ago has been caught, he’s 66 ([https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/04/26/the-disappearance-of-two-oklahoma-teens-stumped-police-for-18-years-then-they-learned-about-the-polaroids/?utm\_term=.fe490f8282c3](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/04/26/the-disappearance-of-two-oklahoma-teens-stumped-police-for-18-years-then-they-learned-about-the-polaroids/?utm_term=.fe490f8282c3)). Do they not deserve to die in prison? Bill Cosby’s crimes, while vile, are nowhere near the fucked-upness of the Golden State Serial Killer…though it’s evident many people, including many in this thread, believe that they are. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/62 "2018-04-27T20:24:01Z")
> [@asahi](#): > > And it’s really a monumental shame when you think about the times in which Cosby came of age and what his success meant to society at large. I don’t like bringing race into it, but I think it’s worth pointing out that he was among one of the most popular entertainers (regardless or ethnicity), and he defied common racist stereotypes that had been applied to African Americans. Apropos of this, in _I Spy_ in 1965 Cosby became the first black actor with a lead role in a US TV drama (alongside Robert Culp). What a way to destroy a legacy. ---
**Author:** ![erysichthon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/d07c76/32.png) [@erysichthon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/erysichthon)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/63 "2018-04-27T20:42:41Z")
> [@xizor](#): > > [He refused to do it in 2015](https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/10/eddie-murphy-bill-cosby-saturday-night-live), so I doubt he would change his mind now. I was aware that he said no to SNL. However, about seven months later he did a brief Cosby impression in his [Mark Twain Prize acceptance speech](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTfCqGtV1zU); I doubt that anyone was pushing him to do that. ---
**Author:** ![gytalf2000](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ac91a4/32.png) [@gytalf2000](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gytalf2000)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 8:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/64 "2018-04-27T20:57:59Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Cosby deserves everything he’s getting, but I can’t help but feel bad, I guess for myself. A cultural icon, everyone’s goofy dad, a great teller of funny stories, voices of cool cartoons…all brought down by this bizarre behavior. I used to like watching reruns of the Cosby show, I loved his “Himself” comedy standup from the 1980’s, it was a family VCR staple…everyone could watch it because it wasn’t profane. > > I don’t know what I am trying to really say. I am certainly not defending the guy, but this doesn’t make me feel like celebrating either. It just sucks all the way around for everyone. Yeah, I understand perfectly. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/65 "2018-04-27T23:48:38Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Bill Cosby’s crimes, while vile, are nowhere near the fucked-upness of the Golden State Serial Killer…though it’s evident many people, including many in this thread, believe that they are. Didn’t say they were. I do find raping even one person repugnant, let alone 60, but ymmv. ---
**Author:** ![Bijou\_Drains](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bijou_drains/32/2814_2.png) [@Bijou\_Drains](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bijou_Drains)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/66 "2018-04-28T12:24:07Z")
better late than never I guess. Another school takes back Cosby honorary degree [http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article210021539.html](http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local/article210021539.html) ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/67 "2018-04-28T14:49:40Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I take great pleasure in this verdict. > [@Leaffan](#): > > You don’t think he deserves to die in prison after being convicted of drugging and raping three women, and probably dozens more? > > Are you fucking kidding me? > > Fuck yes, he deserves to die in prison. My Plain & Simple Statement: I did my Happy Dance when I heard the verdict. Someone should write a book about Cos & OJ. Rise from poverty, become an icon and fall on your ass. And ASSHOLE describes them both. ---
**Author:** ![TokyoBayer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tokyobayer/32/13989_2.png) [@TokyoBayer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TokyoBayer)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/68 "2018-04-28T15:23:33Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Bill Cosby’s crimes, while vile, are nowhere near the fucked-upness of the Golden State Serial Killer…though it’s evident many people, including many in this thread, believe that they are. So, it should be quite easy to show which posters are expressing that. ---
**Author:** ![Corry\_El](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ecae2f/32.png) [@Corry\_El](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corry_El)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/69 "2018-04-28T16:07:30Z")
Even among secular or outright anti-religion (read ‘Christianity’) people the Old v New Testament divide remains. Which is compatible with belief or non-belief: either God made that dichotomy or it’s inherent to humankind who invented God and the Bible, take your pick. I tend to go NT and feel badly it ends this way for Cosby. But people have to be held accountable (in this world, whether it’s the only one or not) for their actions or bad actions will run wild. In actual judicial practice the failing health of an old person is taken into account in sentencing. That wouldn’t be new to Cosby and it can’t automatically be taken as coddling a celebrity if his sentence ends up lighter than some expect. But back to the second point, I’d have a problem on that basis if the sentence were too light, not out of desire for societal revenge, but that people not be encouraged to cover their crimes to some age where they become immune from the consequences. ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/70 "2018-04-28T17:45:53Z")
> [@buddha\_david](#): > > Bill Cosby’s crimes, while vile, are nowhere near the fucked-upness of the Golden State Serial Killer…though it’s evident many people, including many in this thread, believe that they are. He is accused of killing 12 people and raping 45. Definitely worse. There’s a different thread for trashing him. > [@madmonk28](#): > > Didn’t say they were. I do find raping even one person repugnant, let alone 60, but ymmv. This reminds me of a quote I saw that said something to the effect of: > [@](#): > > The Cosby verdict shows America has finally entered a new era where one brave woman can stand up, tell her story, and - wait, hold on - 60 women, it takes 60 women, and justice will be served. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/71 "2018-09-25T18:19:02Z")
Looks like they threw the book at him in the sentencing phase today. Declared a sexually violent predator, and just sentenced to 3 to 10 years. No link as CNN hasn’t put together a full coherent story yet. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/72 "2018-09-25T18:31:43Z")
There’s this on Fox, [Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years for drugging, raping Andrea Constand](http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2018/09/25/bill-cosby-sentenced-to-3-to-10-years-for-drugging-raping-andrea-constand.html). ETA: and just now on CNN, [Bill Cosby sentenced to 3 to 10 years](https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/bill-cosby-sentencing/index.html) – wasn’t there a minute ago. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/73 "2018-09-25T18:39:27Z")
But will he ever see the inside of a cell? No, not a joke about his vision. :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/74 "2018-09-25T18:41:34Z")
Thank God that’s over. I hope 60 women are rejoicing today. Or at least feel vindicated. If he dies in the clink, I am ok with that. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/75 "2018-09-25T18:58:20Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > Thank God that’s over. I hope 60 women are rejoicing today. Or at least feel vindicated. If he dies in the clink, I am ok with that. This is the right answer. The problem is _this_ Bill Cosby goes to jail and takes _the other_ Bill Cosby, whose comedy records I grew up with, enjoyed immensely, and which in a very real way are responsible for who I am today, with him. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/76 "2018-09-25T19:28:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > But will he ever see the inside of a cell? > > No, not a joke about his vision. :eek: I assume you’re alluding to the ability of the rich and powerful to circumvent justice. That’s all behind him now. This was the final event: the sentencing phase. It’s over. I was just watching a video on CNN of Cosby being led out of the courtroom in handcuffs. Where do you think he was going? > [@Inigo\_Montoya](#): > > This is the right answer. > > The problem is _this_ Bill Cosby goes to jail and takes _the other_ Bill Cosby, whose comedy records I grew up with, enjoyed immensely, and which in a very real way are responsible for who I am today, with him. Very true. I have very fond memories of his early comedy records with the various kids, like Fat Albert. Life is complicated, and so are we. But this was a very serious crime, committed over and over and over again. He was designated a sexually violent predator based on the recommendation of a psychiatric committee. It’s really very sad, but just – because, psychiatric problem or not, he wasn’t insane and knew what he was doing. ---
**Author:** ![Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/77 "2018-09-25T19:37:19Z")
> [@wolfpup](#): > > Looks like they threw the book at him in the sentencing phase today. Declared a sexually violent predator, and just sentenced to 3 to 10 years. No link as CNN hasn’t put together a full coherent story yet. He was facing up to 30 years. He’ll still probably die in prison, but given his serial predation its comparatively light. Meanwhile, all of the people who knowingly aided and protected him from prosecution for decades remain unpenalized and mostly unrecognized. Stranger ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/78 "2018-09-25T19:39:58Z")
He is 81 years old. Why will he likely die in prison, is he sick? If he serves only 3 years, he might live that out. I’m glad the scumbag is being locked up. It’s unfortunate that such a talent let the power corrupt him, but now he’s just another scumbag. ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/79 "2018-09-25T19:54:56Z")
> [@Bullitt](#): > > I’m glad the scumbag is being locked up. It’s unfortunate that such a talent let the power corrupt him, but now he’s just another scumbag. As I understand it, his early work was remarkably obscene. He, and I think his wife, made a business decision to change his tone and focus his material on humorous recollection of an otherwise mundane childhood. In 1961 anyone could tell dirty jokes that resonated with one demographic or another; but childhood is something we all share and by putting his funny spin on things he was able to speak to a larger audience than just Black urban men. One might argue his better-known material was masterfully crafted art that he learned how to deliver as a reflection of himself solely for the sake of creating a career, whereas his early work was more natural and reflective of who he really was. So, a fraud all the way. From a certain point of view. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174/80 "2018-09-25T19:56:27Z")
When the defense and prosecution agreed to merge the three charges for sentencing purposes, his maximum possible sentence became 10 years, and the speculation was that at most he might get 2 to 5. The defense was asking for house arrest. Which is what I meant by “they threw the book at him” with 3 to 10 plus the violent predator designation. Not that I think it was unjustified. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/bill-cosby-guilty/813174.md?page=5)