Bill Cosby’s conviction on three counts of aggravated indecent assault in April was a “travesty of justice” and politically motivated, said the comedian’s former attorney, who is finally breaking his silence on the controversial trial.
Tom Mesereau, the famed lawyer who successfully represented actor Robert Blake during his 2004 murder trial and pop icon Michael Jackson during his 2005 child molestation trial, said the Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, judge who oversaw the case also likely caved to the #MeToo movement sweeping the country.
“It was a travesty of justice, the likes of which I have never seen in my whole career,” said Mesereau, who has regularly performed pro bono work in various inner cities. “The #MeToo movement is founded in something very, very desirable. To stop sexual harassment against women, stop discrimination against women, stop abuse against women and I commend those principles. But the movement has gotten so powerful that judges are running scared, in my opinion.”
In April, Cosby was founded guilty for drugging and assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004 at his home in Elkins Park. The 81-year-old entertainer faces 10 years in prison for each count when he’s sentenced in September.
Cosby, who has maintained his innocence, recently fired Mesereau and six other attorneys and will appear at his sentencing with another lawyer.
Mesereau has decided to go on somewhat of a media tour to express his frustration with how Cosby’s case was handled in Montgomery County. He’s appeared on a podcast with private investigator Scott Ross and most recently on the television show “Inside Edition” with noted celebrity journalist Jim Moret.
“I understand that people change lawyers,” Mesereau said. “People go through different lawyers. What we do is an art, not a science. I’ve talked to replacement counsel, and I wish the Cosby family and I wish the new counsel the best.”
Mesereau said he still hopes that Cosby’s convictions are reversed on appeal.
“I hope he doesn’t spend one minute in jail because he doesn’t deserve to,” he said.
