A California jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding her $19.25 million in damages. The nearly two-week trial in Santa Monica concluded with jurors finding the 88-year-old Cosby responsible for sexual battery and assault.
Motsinger alleged Cosby invited her to a comedy show and then gave her wine and pills in a limousine, causing her to lose consciousness. She awoke at home with limited clothing, believing she had been drugged and raped. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, was made possible by changes to California law regarding statutes of limitations for sexual assault cases.
Jurors awarded $17.5 million for past damages and $1.75 million for future damages, including emotional distress. Cosby’s attorney stated they intend to appeal the verdict. This decision follows Cosby’s previous release from prison in Pennsylvania after a criminal conviction was overturned.
Motsinger first made her allegations anonymously in a 2005 lawsuit. The case echoes allegations made by at least 60 women, all of which Cosby has denied.