Bill Cosby spreads his first message after being released from prison

American comedian Bill Cosby left the Montgomery County prison on Wednesday after the highest court in Pennsylvania overturned his conviction for sexual assault and ordered his release.

Around 2:30 p.m. (local time), Cosby left the Phoenix Correctional Institution, according to confirmed a Pennsylvania official told Reuters. The 83-year-old comedian moved to his mansion, located in the Elkins Park community, where local reporters awaited his first statements.

Although Cosby did not want to testify to the press, he later posted his first message on Twitter after being released.

“I have never changed my position, nor my story. I’ve always held my innocence. Thanks to all my fans, followers, and friends who supported me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rule of law, “Cosby tweeted.

The comedian had been convicted of drugging and sexually assaulting Temple University basketball coach Andrea Constand in 2004 and was sentenced to between three and 10 years in prison for sexual assault in 2018.

The Liberation

Cosby served more than two years in prison. Unexpectedly, the Pennsylvania superior court ordered his release this week, admitting that the district attorney who requested his incarceration, Kevin Steele, had not respected a non-prosecution agreement that was agreed between Cosby’s defense and a previous prosecutor, Bruce Castor.

As part of that agreement, Cosby gave self-incriminating testimony during Constand’s lawsuit against him.

Cosby’s case took on an important dimension as he was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era. Now his release has been widely criticized, after more than 60 women publicly accused him of assault or rape, according to pick up AP.