Pennsylvania’s highest court overturned Bill Cosby‘s sex assault conviction Wednesday, and Cosby was released from a state prison hours later.
Wearing a white T-shirt from his alma mater, Philadelphia’s Central High School, Cosby appeared outside his Cheltenham Township home, escorted by his spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, and his appellate attorney, Jennifer Bonjean. He smiled and nodded at supporters but said nothing.
“Today, on this hot day, this is a hot verdict for us that we will forever cherish,” Wyatt told reporters.
“He is extremely happy to be home,” Bonjean said. “He looks forward to reuniting with his wife and his children.”
The stunning reversal of fortune for the 83-year-old Cosby, once beloved as “America’s Dad,” happened after the court found an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case. It also shut down the possibility of a third trial in the case, according to prosecutors.
Later Wednesday Cosby tweeted thanks to the court, saying he had always maintained his innocence.
“I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence. Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law,” the tweet read.
Cosby was convicted in 2018 of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia estate in 2004.
He was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence — Cosby’s damaging deposition from her lawsuit — arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.
Constand issued a statement to USA TODAY through her lawyers, saying the reversal by the high court was “disappointing” because it could discourage victims from coming forward. She called the decision a “procedural technicality.”
“We urge all victims to make their voices heard. We do not intend to make any further comment,” the statement concluded.
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