Comic found guilty after 54 years

Bill Cosby has been found  guilty of drugging and raping a woman 54 years ago.

Cosby has been ordered to pay former waitress Donna Motsinger, now 84, a total of  $19.25 million in damages, for past and future mental suffering.

Further punitive damages are likely to be added.

She was allowed to sue Cosby, now 88, under changes in recent years in California’s statute of limitations for sex crimes.

In a video played at the two-week trial in Santa Monica, Cosby is asked if he had sex with Motsinger. He replied: ‘I cannot remember if I did or not.

The comedian, as in previous trials, said he never had nonconsensual sex and insists he is being targeted because of his cultural status. His lawyers say he will appeal today’s verdict.

Motsinger told how she met Cosby via her job, with the comic inviting her to a comedy show. Her testimony said Cosby gave her what she believed was an aspirin – and the next thing she remember was waking up almost naked in her house.  

More than 60 women have accused Cosby of various offences, several of which have gone to trial. 

In 2018, he was jailed after being convicted of aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand – but that was lated voided procedural grounds in 2021. In 2022, Cosby was found liable for having sexually assaulted Judy Huth when she was 16.

Published: 23 Mar 2026