Bill Cosby Enters Court with "Cosby Show" Daughter Keshia Knight Pulliam for Start of his Sex Assault Trial
by Jeff Truesdell
June 5, 2017



Bill Cosby’s former TV daughter Keshia Knight Pulliam walked into a Norristown, Pennsylvania, courtroom today with the entertainer on the first day of his sexual assault trial, PEOPLE confirms.

Pulliam, 38, played Cosby’s daughter Rudy on "The Cosby Show".



At least one other member of Cosby’s television family — actress Phylicia Rashad, 68, who played his wife on "The Cosby Show" — is expected to make an appearance during the trial, says Andrew Wyatt, Cosby’s spokesman.

Johnny Taylor, president of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, will also show up at the courthouse, Wyatt tells PEOPLE.



“Johnny feels Mr. Cosby has done so much for historically black colleges over his career and it’s important for him to show that support and say ‘Thank you’ because he has not been found guilty of anything,” Wyatt says.

“They’re coming in to hear the truth. Keshia feels the same way. She’s not here to proclaim guilt or innocence. She’s here to finally hear the truth for herself in the courtroom. She wants people to stop listening to the sensationalism and come hear the truth.”







Cosby, 79, has done interviews with the NNPA Newswire and CNN as well as radio show host Michael Smerconish. Evin Cosby, one of his four daughters, wrote an essay defending her dad.

The recent media blitz, plus the star power in court to support him, could have an impact on the jury, which is being brought in from Pittsburgh and consists of 10 white people and two black people, says one crisis management expert.



“The goal is to ensure that at least one or two jurors who hear Cosby’s trial will remember the good side of the man when they pass judgment,” Gene Grabowski, a partner at Kglobal, a Washington, D.C.-based public affairs firm, tells PEOPLE. “This strategy is proven to have worked. Even in murder trials, it can lead juries to impose life sentences rather than the death penalty. In many cases, it can lead to hung juries, mistrials and even acquittal.”



It has another purpose as well, Grabowski says.

“Regardless of the trial’s outcome, the goal of Cosby’s crisis managers is to ensure his legacy is at least partially preserved,” he says. “As President Trump is demonstrating, everyone — including Bill Cosby — has a base of supportive people who only need a few examples to buttress their favorable opinion of people they want to like.”


http://ew.com/tv/2017/06/...ter-court/

I've been a fan of Bill Cosby for a very long time. Back in high school, I joined Columbia House and used to order his albums, and listen to them over and over. I knew some of his routines verbatim (as well as Eddie Murphy's Delirious). I loved The Cosby Show, and even the second series he did with Rashad.

But I cannot ignore the plethora of people that have come forth with the same story over and over. While a couple were lying or dropped their case, that doesn't dismiss the others who believe to be telling the truth. We are always quick to dismiss victims (until proven otherwise), and call them liars. Whether it was one or a hundred women saying Cosby raped them, we have to take each one seriously until it's proven he was a raping them, or they are lying about him.

It all seems very random. There have been some details that keeps my eyebrow raised. A couple of women have noted his multi-colored patchwork bathrobe (including Janice Dickinson who withdrew her claim), and it was either her or a newspaper that found and published an old photo of Cosby in that exact bathrobe. Now, how would a bunch of random people that don't know each other have that same detail?

As far as Keshia - Rudy is always going to be faithful to Mr. Cosby. Phylicia stood by him too, but I've not heard a peep out of her lately. Some might be blinded by friendship and will never acknowledge what could be the truth. I have a friend who knew OJ Simpson and was friends with Arnell. They were out driving around when the white bronco thing happened. My friend, still today, believes OJ didn't butcher and kill Nicole and Ron. "That's not the OJ I knew". Well darling, it wasn't the OJ anyone knew (except Nicole, maybe). The same goes for Cosby. Of course he's not coming to the set bragging about drugging and raping someone (if it happened). People like that hide their transgressions for a reason. They're cowards, and they know it's wrong and do it anyway. That's the difference between a mistake and a sin. One is just fucking up, the other is knowing better and doing it anyway.

The last thing this man will remember in his life is a cold jail cell and bare prison walls.

A fitting end.

He's innocent until proven guilty; until then, I don't mind or think it's a big deal that Pulliam is
standing by him. Even if he's determined to be guilty, I think a true expression of friendship
doesn't mean we necessarily abandon our friends after they've made egregious mistakes. There
is something to be said if Pulliam continues her friendshp with Cosby despite denouncing his
criminality publicly and/or privately.

LayzieKiddZ said:

nextedition said:

LayzieKiddZ said:

The last thing this man will remember in his life is a cold jail cell and bare prison walls.

A fitting end.

He is already found guilty?

No! The Defence rested now for closing arguments and jury instructions I suppose the jury will get it tomorrow. I think they could take 2 full days (16 to 20 hours) to get a verdict.

I have hardly followed it at all. So I have no idea. I do not even know what the charges are...but I will guess guilty of at least one of the lesser charges.


Many times a famous person is found "not guilty by reason of Celebrity." It is just more difficult to convict someone famous. In this case, however, as this is so contrary to his image his fame may hurt him.

Dasein said:

He's innocent until proven guilty; until then, I don't mind or think it's a big deal that Pulliam is
standing by him. Even if he's determined to be guilty, I think a true expression of friendship
doesn't mean we necessarily abandon our friends after they've made egregious mistakes. There
is something to be said if Pulliam continues her friendshp with Cosby despite denouncing his
criminality publicly and/or privately.

it is Presumed innocent, and that Only refers to the government, not individuals. The media often uses terms like "alleged" or "Accused" but I doubt they are required to do so. And being convicted is not the same as having committed that act.

Guilt and Innocence are legal terms that are all too often not consistent with reality.

And I think Keshia going is great. She should be able to support him even if convicted. I think a reasonable person would see it as just being a friend and not condoning of the acts.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

Dasein said:

He's innocent until proven guilty; until then, I don't mind or think it's a big deal that Pulliam is
standing by him. Even if he's determined to be guilty, I think a true expression of friendship
doesn't mean we necessarily abandon our friends after they've made egregious mistakes. There
is something to be said if Pulliam continues her friendshp with Cosby despite denouncing his
criminality publicly and/or privately.

Guilt and Innocence are legal terms that are all too often not consistent with reality.

This may be the case due to justice being difficult to suss out from reality, especially when it is
framed and presented via a white patriarchy.

Dasein said:

He's innocent until proven guilty; until then, I don't mind or think it's a big deal that Pulliam is
standing by him. Even if he's determined to be guilty, I think a true expression of friendship
doesn't mean we necessarily abandon our friends after they've made egregious mistakes. There
is something to be said if Pulliam continues her friendshp with Cosby despite denouncing his
criminality publicly and/or privately.

I agree, that's is her friend no matter what.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

nextedition said:

LayzieKiddZ said: He is already found guilty?

No! The Defence rested now for closing arguments and jury instructions I suppose the jury will get it tomorrow. I think they could take 2 full days (16 to 20 hours) to get a verdict.

I have hardly followed it at all. So I have no idea. I do not even know what the charges are...but I will guess guilty of at least one of the lesser charges.


Many times a famous person is found "not guilty by reason of Celebrity." It is just more difficult to convict someone famous. In this case, however, as this is so contrary to his image his fame may hurt him.

i wonder how the hell they found 12 people who didn't already have knowledge of this case, which I thought was a prerequisite. do you just a take a person's word for it? Anyway, as guilty as i think that man is, goddamn, it's hard to see an old icon in prison.

generally my view but i think about a third of the women are lying for one reason or another known only to them. Also, one wierd inconsistency is the violent rape of one of the women, most of the women said it wasn't violent, not that I doubt the one who said he wrestled her down, just that when people have an mo, usually, it's pretty consistent. Is he guilty? fuck ya, are all the women being 100 percent honest? hell no.

TrivialPursuit said:

I've been a fan of Bill Cosby for a very long time. Back in high school, I joined Columbia House and used to order his albums, and listen to them over and over. I knew some of his routines verbatim (as well as Eddie Murphy's Delirious). I loved The Cosby Show, and even the second series he did with Rashad.

But I cannot ignore the plethora of people that have come forth with the same story over and over. While a couple were lying or dropped their case, that doesn't dismiss the others who believe to be telling the truth. We are always quick to dismiss victims (until proven otherwise), and call them liars. Whether it was one or a hundred women saying Cosby raped them, we have to take each one seriously until it's proven he was a raping them, or they are lying about him.

It all seems very random. There have been some details that keeps my eyebrow raised. A couple of women have noted his multi-colored patchwork bathrobe (including Janice Dickinson who withdrew her claim), and it was either her or a newspaper that found and published an old photo of Cosby in that exact bathrobe. Now, how would a bunch of random people that don't know each other have that same detail?

As far as Keshia - Rudy is always going to be faithful to Mr. Cosby. Phylicia stood by him too, but I've not heard a peep out of her lately. Some might be blinded by friendship and will never acknowledge what could be the truth. I have a friend who knew OJ Simpson and was friends with Arnell. They were out driving around when the white bronco thing happened. My friend, still today, believes OJ didn't butcher and kill Nicole and Ron. "That's not the OJ I knew". Well darling, it wasn't the OJ anyone knew (except Nicole, maybe). The same goes for Cosby. Of course he's not coming to the set bragging about drugging and raping someone (if it happened). People like that hide their transgressions for a reason. They're cowards, and they know it's wrong and do it anyway. That's the difference between a mistake and a sin. One is just fucking up, the other is knowing better and doing it anyway.

PeteSilas said:

OnlyNDaUsa said:

No! The Defence rested now for closing arguments and jury instructions I suppose the jury will get it tomorrow. I think they could take 2 full days (16 to 20 hours) to get a verdict.

I have hardly followed it at all. So I have no idea. I do not even know what the charges are...but I will guess guilty of at least one of the lesser charges.


Many times a famous person is found "not guilty by reason of Celebrity." It is just more difficult to convict someone famous. In this case, however, as this is so contrary to his image his fame may hurt him.

i wonder how the hell they found 12 people who didn't already have knowledge of this case, which I thought was a prerequisite. do you just a take a person's word for it? Anyway, as guilty as i think that man is, goddamn, it's hard to see an old icon in prison.

You'll be surprised!

PeteSilas said:

i wonder how the hell they found 12 people who didn't already have knowledge of this case, which I thought was a prerequisite. do you just a take a person's word for it? Anyway, as guilty as i think that man is, goddamn, it's hard to see an old icon in prison.

for one there are more than 12 maybe 18... and two the standard is not that they have not heard about it but have they made up their minds and can the set-aside anything they have heard and use only that which is presented in court.

I believe I could be impartial and not care that his is famous or not... and I used to watch the Cosby show every week! And I still have Why Is There Air on LP. And I do believe I could rule just on the facts presented in court. (well Juries decided fact but you know what I mean)

in fact, if I was doing a voir dire (yes I knew what it was but I did look it up to be sure) if someone claimed to NOT have heard of such a high profile case I would be very skeptical. If someone said they had never seen his shows or heard his comedy I would want them dismissed.

EDIT:

I wonder if they serve hors d-oeuvres at a voir dire?

[Edited 6/12/17 15:28pm]

All I know, is it's sad to see a career and reputation go straight down the toilet with no hope of salvaging it. Yet, if he did these things, the price has to be paid.

morningsong said:

All I know, is it's sad to see a career and reputation go straight down the toilet with no hope of salvaging it. Yet, if he did these things, the price has to be paid.

i agree but if i'm honest, the system did some dirty shit to get him. unsealing files, lady took the money and ran. I still don't get why a guy as smart as Bill would even talk about this stuff if it wasn't necessary. If he was smart, he would never have admitted shit and just played dumb. either his conscience bothered him or his ego got the better of him, he seems to be deluded that he's some kind of playboy.

PeteSilas said:

morningsong said:

All I know, is it's sad to see a career and reputation go straight down the toilet with no hope of salvaging it. Yet, if he did these things, the price has to be paid.

i agree but if i'm honest, the system did some dirty shit to get him. unsealing files, lady took the money and ran. I still don't get why a guy as smart as Bill would even talk about this stuff if it wasn't necessary. If he was smart, he would never have admitted shit and just played dumb. either his conscience bothered him or his ego got the better of him, he seems to be deluded that he's some kind of playboy.

It all feels suspect, whether it is or not is up in the air, he was blocked from purchasing NBC, his only son gets killed by the Russian mafia (I'm supposing) and now the rug is suddenly yanked out from underneath him in his twilight for (known) crimes decades old.

morningsong said:

PeteSilas said:

i agree but if i'm honest, the system did some dirty shit to get him. unsealing files, lady took the money and ran. I still don't get why a guy as smart as Bill would even talk about this stuff if it wasn't necessary. If he was smart, he would never have admitted shit and just played dumb. either his conscience bothered him or his ego got the better of him, he seems to be deluded that he's some kind of playboy.

It all feels suspect, whether it is or not is up in the air, he was blocked from purchasing NBC, his only son gets killed by the Russian mafia (I'm supposing) and now the rug is suddenly yanked out from underneath him in his twilight for (known) crimes decades old.

ironically, a judge used that poundcake speech as an excuse to open the files. I'm sure, and the part of me that's still a kid hopes, that bill can appeal some of this shit. But ya, he's a rotten piece of shit at least in that one way. Not to forget how giving and generous he has been to people, I don't think that should be forgotten. No one is all bad or good, I know i'm not, i got some habits that could cause me troubles too, i think most people do, whether it's drunk driving, drugs, sex, gambling, cheating.

PeteSilas said:

morningsong said:

It all feels suspect, whether it is or not is up in the air, he was blocked from purchasing NBC, his only son gets killed by the Russian mafia (I'm supposing) and now the rug is suddenly yanked out from underneath him in his twilight for (known) crimes decades old.

ironically, a judge used that poundcake speech as an excuse to open the files. I'm sure, and the part of me that's still a kid hopes, that bill can appeal some of this shit. But ya, he's a rotten piece of shit at least in that one way. Not to forget how giving and generous he has been to people, I don't think that should be forgotten. No one is all bad or good, I know i'm not, i got some habits that could cause me troubles too, i think most people do, whether it's drunk driving, drugs, sex, gambling, cheating.

There's no win here no matter how you slice it. There are a lot of people who looked at him as a mentor and there are a lot of people who couldn't stand him based on some finger shaking he did. Seems senseless, some people get away with being absolute AHs, some are almost awarded for it, and some people don't.

morningsong said:

PeteSilas said:

ironically, a judge used that poundcake speech as an excuse to open the files. I'm sure, and the part of me that's still a kid hopes, that bill can appeal some of this shit. But ya, he's a rotten piece of shit at least in that one way. Not to forget how giving and generous he has been to people, I don't think that should be forgotten. No one is all bad or good, I know i'm not, i got some habits that could cause me troubles too, i think most people do, whether it's drunk driving, drugs, sex, gambling, cheating.

There's no win here no matter how you slice it. There are a lot of people who looked at him as a mentor and there are a lot of people who couldn't stand him based on some finger shaking he did. Seems senseless, some people get away with being absolute AHs, some are almost awarded for it, and some people don't.

correct, i won't be happy to see the man in a cell, i'm really hoping it won't go that far. The worst thing that could be done to him has probably already been accomplished. Also, without proof, real proof, it's a horrible example of prosecution. It's a game changer and not for the best, so now anyone can say anything. We have a mayor in seattle, 3 men accused him of molesting them when they were teens, no proof at all but everyone believes the boys, I do to but it's still not fair without proof. The guy looks like a molestor but what the hell kind of proof is that? Anyway, good riddance, he's not running for reelection but what's going to happen now that some people think they can get away with it?

so they are still deadlocked and have asked for clarification of "reasonable doubt." Which could mean anything.... maybe trying to show the last hold out (either way) that they should change their vote.

OnlyNDaUsa said:

so they are still deadlocked and have asked for clarification of "reasonable doubt." Which could mean anything.... maybe trying to show the last hold out (either way) that they should change their vote.

i'm thinking he won't get found guilty, probably not because people don't think he's a creep but because of how everything was handled AND I honestly don't think you can find twelve people who want to see cosby in prison, as guilty as i think he is, damn, i don't want to see it. they should have gotten him when he was young, not some broke down old man,i'm sure that'll factor into it.

Camille Cosby and Others React to the Bill Cosby Case Mistrial https://www.nytimes.com/2....html?_r=0

I dunno but I suspect that one by one each accuser will persue prosecution of Cosby...Dragging out trial after trial until he either gets convicted or passes away...

There's no real win, but at least the accusers might feel vindicated from being able to confront him and have their say in court...

I wish them peace and healing...

When it's all said and done, Cosby will have to account for his actions to his deity...and the Universe will set the accounts even...There's no hiding from kharma...

LBrent said:

I dunno but I suspect that one by one each accuser will persue prosecution of Cosby...Dragging out trial after trial until he either gets convicted or passes away...

There's no real win, but at least the accusers might feel vindicated from being able to confront him and have their say in court...

I wish them peace and healing...

When it's all said and done, Cosby will have to account for his actions to his deity...and the Universe will set the accounts even...There's no hiding from kharma...

ya, it's a horrible old age to have, anyway you cut it. they will retry this trial and even if this one's over, it'll never end in his lifetime, gloria alred will likely outlive him and try to get every single dollar. If i were him, i'd go the roman polanski route, but i doubt he does that.

The Judge allowed the Deadlocked Jurors to deliberate for days in hopes of wearing them out...All they had to talk about in the Jury-room was Heresay & one person's word against another...There was NO solid evidence...Just because someone accuses you of Drugging & Molesting them does not mean their Word is Gospel...If the accuser chose not to go to the Emergency Room or Doctor's Care and go through the Rape-Kit procedure then that's their bad judgment...If the accuser did not go to the Cops then that's their bad judgment...

13yrs later and this is where you're at...

The Accusers are NOT going after Cosby because he violated them. The Accusers want Cosby's Head because a Comedian made National News when he joked about Bill's drugging accusation during a Comedy show...Gloria The Hound promised the Accusers a BIG pay day or a Court date..Bill was not gonna pay them Shit so they settled for a Court Date...

and Twitter's reaction was a Complete & Total farce...The Majority of Whites chimed in about Bill Cosby and the mistrial but they did not have Shit to say about Philando Castile.

well, ya, that' the way it goes in this country. The cosby thing has turned into a witchunt and even though I believe he's guilty and probably most people do, they still broke all kinds of laws to get him into court. I don't want to see him locked up personally, what he's lost is a prison in itself really.

Not a good way to get a job.

Chancellor said:

The Judge allowed the Deadlocked Jurors to deliberate for days in hopes of wearing them out...All they had to talk about in the Jury-room was Heresay & one person's word against another...There was NO solid evidence...Just because someone accuses you of Drugging & Molesting them does not mean their Word is Gospel...If the accuser chose not to go to the Emergency Room or Doctor's Care and go through the Rape-Kit procedure then that's their bad judgment...If the accuser did not go to the Cops then that's their bad judgment...

13yrs later and this is where you're at...

The Accusers are NOT going after Cosby because he violated them. The Accusers want Cosby's Head because a Comedian made National News when he joked about Bill's drugging accusation during a Comedy show...Gloria The Hound promised the Accusers a BIG pay day or a Court date..Bill was not gonna pay them Shit so they settled for a Court Date...

and Twitter's reaction was a Complete & Total farce...The Majority of Whites chimed in about Bill Cosby and the mistrial but they did not have Shit to say about Philando Castile.

^^^^

Guilt cannot be presumed without absolute proof. Not saying Mr. Cosby is innocent.

I didn't know who the hell Hannibal Burress was before his comedy show. Many people still

don't know who he is.

burress wouldn't have even been recognized without throwing cosby's name out there, he's a third rater, not much of a comedian.

phunkdaddy said:

Chancellor said:

The Judge allowed the Deadlocked Jurors to deliberate for days in hopes of wearing them out...All they had to talk about in the Jury-room was Heresay & one person's word against another...There was NO solid evidence...Just because someone accuses you of Drugging & Molesting them does not mean their Word is Gospel...If the accuser chose not to go to the Emergency Room or Doctor's Care and go through the Rape-Kit procedure then that's their bad judgment...If the accuser did not go to the Cops then that's their bad judgment...

13yrs later and this is where you're at...

The Accusers are NOT going after Cosby because he violated them. The Accusers want Cosby's Head because a Comedian made National News when he joked about Bill's drugging accusation during a Comedy show...Gloria The Hound promised the Accusers a BIG pay day or a Court date..Bill was not gonna pay them Shit so they settled for a Court Date...

and Twitter's reaction was a Complete & Total farce...The Majority of Whites chimed in about Bill Cosby and the mistrial but they did not have Shit to say about Philando Castile.

^^^^

Guilt cannot be presumed without absolute proof. Not saying Mr. Cosby is innocent.

I didn't know who the hell Hannibal Burress was before his comedy show. Many people still

don't know who he is.