A Los Angeles County jury ruled Monday that Bill Cosby is liable for the 1972 drugging and sexual assault of Donna Motsinger, awarding the plaintiff $19.25 million in compensatory damages.
The verdict concludes a high-stakes civil trial centered on allegations dating back more than five decades. The jury found that Cosby, now 88, incapacitated Motsinger before assaulting her following one of his comedy performances.
The total award comprises $17.5 million for past non-economic damages and $1.75 million for future non-economic damages. Legal proceedings continue at the Santa Monica courthouse, where the jury will determine additional punitive damages later today.
Motsinger’s lawsuit alleged that Cosby provided her with wine and an unidentified pill that left her unable to resist or consent. “It has been 54 years to get justice,” Motsinger told reporters outside the courtroom. “I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit.”
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Cosby’s lead attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, expressed disappointment in the jury’s decision and signaled an immediate intent to challenge the verdict.
“We believe we have a strong appeal and we’ll pursue that,” Bonjean stated. Throughout the litigation, Cosby has maintained his innocence, asserting that all sexual encounters throughout his career were consensual.
The case reached trial despite the decades-old nature of the claim due to recent California legislative shifts. These changes expanded the statute of limitations for sexual assault, creating a “look-back” window for survivors to seek civil recourse for aging allegations.
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This verdict adds to a complex legal history for the former television icon:
- 2018: Cosby was convicted of assaulting Andrea Constand and served three years of a three-to-ten-year sentence.
- 2021: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the Constand conviction, citing a violation of a previous non-prosecution agreement.
- 2022: A separate civil jury found Cosby liable for the assault of Judy Huth, awarding her $500,000.
Nearly 60 women have come forward with similar allegations of misconduct against Cosby. Today’s verdict represents one of the largest financial penalties leveled against him to date.
