A Pennsylvania parole board has denied once-beloved-now-embattled comedy icon Bill Cosby‘s petition to be released from prison for charges stemming from multiple reports of sexual misconduct and indecent assault.
Details inside:
Laura Treaster, a spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania parole board, took to press Thursday (May 27) to confirm the panel’s decision – citing Cosby’s refusal to participate in therapy for sexual offenders.
Andrew Wyatt, a spokesperson for the 83-year-old entertainment legend – suggested the news didn’t come as a surprise.
“We knew he was going to be rejected. He called me and told me that if he didn’t take the course, he would be denied,” before continuing to say, “He has maintained his innocence from the beginning.”
As we reported here in 2018, Cosby was sentenced to 3-10 years in prison and was registered as a sexually violent predator after being convicted of rape for an incident from 2004. He would have been eligible for parole in September 2021 after completing the three-year minimum of his sentence, but that has now been denied.
Treaster confirmed the parole board would not consider Cosby for parole again until he completes the sexual violent predator therapy.
As far as Cosby’s overall well-being, his spokesperson says the star is optimistic about his future.
“He’s hopeful,” Wyatt said. “He’s cool as a cucumber.”