US court on Wednesday quashed former stand-up comedian Bill Cosby’s sex crimes conviction, allowing his release, reports AFP.
Cosby served more than two years at a state prison near Philadelphia. He was sentenced to 3-10-year imprisonment. The former actor had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.
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Cosby was accused of assaulting a woman 15 years ago. His convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is “discharged,” the Pennsylvania Supreme Court wrote in a 79-page ruling.
In May, Cosby’s request for an early release was turned down by the Pennsylvania Parole Board after Cosby did not agree to undergo a therapy programme for sexually violent predators.
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Andrew Wyatt, a spokesperson for the comedian, said that 83-year-old expected the same result. He said, “We knew he was going to be rejected,” reported Reuters.
Cosby, who was convicted for the rape of a former friend, was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison after being named a sexually violent predator in 2018.
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However, he would have completed his first three years in prison on September 25 making him eligible for a parole request.
The Pennsylvania Parole Board has set requirements for considering a follow-up request from Cosby, which includes completion of the suggested therapy and overcoming a recommendation, written opposing the parole, from the Department of Corrections in addition to maintaining a clear conduct record, reported Reuters.