Bill Cosby's Defense Lawyers Accuse Prosecution of Excluding African Americans

Bill Cosby's team argues that race could play a role in the case.

Actor Bill Cosby returns to court for pretrial hearing
Getty

Actor Bill Cosby returns to court for pretrial hearing

Actor Bill Cosby returns to court for pretrial hearing

Bill Cosby's defense lawyers accused the prosecution of “a systematic exclusion of African Americans” on Tuesday after only one black person was included in the 11 jurors selected for their client's sexual assault trial. The comedian's attorney Brian McMonagle asserts that race could play a role in the case, and presented statistical evidence to prove his point. Judge Steven O’Neill has rejected the argument from Cosby's team. 

Of the 100 individuals summoned to the Allegheny County courthouse for a potential spot on the jury, 16 were people of color. Earlier this week, two black women were pulled from the panel, but the prosecution contends that one of them was a former Pittsburgh police detective who filed a lawsuit against the city after her alleged involvement in a public scandal resulted in an arrest.

Prior to the lawyers reconvening today to pick a 12th person, as well as six alternates, the jury consisted of seven men and four women, with the lone black juror being a female who said she knew just "basic information" about the case. Two white people claimed they have not read or watched the news. On Wednesday, a second black person became the 12th juror while two more were selected as alternates. “It’s a terrific jury made up of people of all demographics,” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said, per the Associated Press. “We’re passed this nonsense about the optics and things.” 

As Cosby left the courthouse Wednesday night, he expressed gratitude to "all of the people who have come to see my shows." He isn't expected to testify. 

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