Continued drama with Bill Cosby.

Bill Cosby appeals his April 2018 conviction. In the months following the verdict, Cosby’s attorneys argue the Pennsylvania court abused its discretion by allowing several bad act witnesses to testify. Further, his attorneys argue that the facts in each of those alleged incidents were not substantially similar to Andrea Constand’s allegations and, even if they were, they happened too long before the 2004 event to be admissible. Basically, several women were allowed to testify about Cosby’s conduct prior to the alleged incident with Constand. An aside about Cosby’s conduct: he is dishing out life advice to fellow inmates whilst in prison. He is urging fellow inmates to re-bond with their children when they get out. Regardless of your opinion on Cosby, he is trying to help those around him in prison, which is respectable.

It seems Cosby’s attorneys are trying to paint the image that the jury was prejudiced by hearing testimony from the above mentioned women. In evidence, propensity arguments are not allowed. For example, a witness is not allowed to testify that certain conduct would make it probable for an outcome to happen. What is interesting about this argument is that it is very similar to Harvey Weinstein’s upcoming criminal trial. There, New York judge James Burke has not yet issued a public decision regarding whether prior bad acts witnesses will be allowed and in what capacity. Cosby is asking the court to either reverse and vacate judgment or grant a new trial. Did Cosby receive a fair trial? Will the Pennsylvania Superior Court reverse his conviction? Stay tuned to find out if his new trial is granted.