Bill Cosby sexually abused teenager at Playboy Mansion in 1975, jury finds

22 June 2022, 09:35

Bill Cosby sexually abused Judy Huth, now 64, in 1975
Bill Cosby sexually abused Judy Huth, now 64, in 1975. Picture: Alamy

By Daisy Stephens

Jurors at a civil trial have found that Bill Cosby sexually abused a 16-year-old girl at the Playboy Mansion in 1975.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

The Los Angeles County jury delivered the verdict on Tuesday in favour of Judy Huth, who is now 64, and awarded her €500,000 (£407,327).

Jurors found that Mr Cosby intentionally caused harmful sexual contact with Ms Huth, that he reasonably believed she was under 18, and that his conduct was driven by unnatural or abnormal sexual interest in a minor.

The jurors' decision is a major legal defeat for the 84-year-old entertainer who was once hailed as America's dad.

Read more: Union slammed over outdated rail practices where 'nine workers are needed to change plug'

Read more: Brexit will reduce UK productivity and wages in decade ahead, says report

It comes nearly a year after his Pennsylvania criminal conviction for sexual assault was thrown out and he was freed from prison.

Ms Huth's lawsuit was one of the last remaining legal claims against him after his insurer settled many others against his will.

Mr Cosby did not attend the trial or testify in person, but short clips from a 2015 video deposition were played for jurors, in which he denied any sexual contact with Ms Huth.

He continues to deny the allegations through his attorney and publicist.

Bill Cosby was recently released from prison after his criminal conviction for sexual assault was thrown out
Bill Cosby was recently released from prison after his criminal conviction for sexual assault was thrown out. Picture: Alamy

Jurors had already reached conclusions on nearly every question on their verdict form, including whether Mr Cosby abused Ms Huth and whether she deserved damages, after two days of deliberations on Friday.

But the jury foreperson could not serve further because of a personal commitment, and the panel had to start deliberating from scratch with an alternate juror on Monday.

Read more: Smiling Queen awarded Canterbury Cross by archbishop for 'unstinting' service to church

Read more: Comedian Joe Lycett investigated by police after offended fan complained about joke

Mr Cosby's attorneys agreed that he met Ms Huth and her high school friend on a Southern California film set in April of 1975, then took them to the Playboy Mansion a few days later.

Ms Huth's friend Donna Samuelson, a key witness, took photos at the mansion of Ms Huth and Mr Cosby, which loomed large at the trial.

Ms Huth testified that in a bedroom adjacent to a game room where the three had been hanging out, Mr Cosby attempted to put his hand down her pants, then exposed himself and forced her to perform a sex act.

She filed her lawsuit in 2014, saying that her son turning 15 - the age she initially remembered being when she went to the mansion - and a wave of other women accusing Mr Cosby of similar acts brought fresh trauma over what she had been through as a teenager.

Ms Huth said she was compelled to come forward when her son turned 15
Ms Huth said she was compelled to come forward when her son turned 15. Picture: Alamy

Ms Huth's attorney Nathan Goldberg told the jury of nine women and three men during closing arguments on Wednesday that "my client deserves to have Mr Cosby held accountable for what he did".

"Each of you knows in your heart that Mr Cosby sexually assaulted Miss Huth," Mr Goldberg said.

A majority of jurors apparently agreed, giving Ms Huth a victory in a suit that took eight years and overcame many hurdles just to get to trial.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Reverend Sue Colman was asked to step back after the Makin Report found her and her husband Jason knew about John Smyth's abuse and failed to act

Mustard heir and Church of England minister wife step back from church roles after damning abuse report

File photo of Broadway Market, where the attack took place

Horror as 'man doused in bleach' in busy Hackney market with manhunt underway and attacker still at loose

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to string of sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Former Met Police officer David Carrick pleads not guilty to sex attacks including indecent assault against teen

Jack Bradley took part in the failed ram raid

Moment drug addict in 4x4 rams Tesco superstore in failed bid to steal safe, with terrified staff still inside shop

ZM712, a Boeing Apache AH2 operated by the UK's Army Air Corps, departing from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, England after participating in the Royal International Air Tattoo 2024 (RIAT24).

Drunken soldiers' caught during Apache cockpit romp spark military safety review

Eva Longoria, a Texas native, has said she is 'done' with the US after Trump's second election win

Eva Longoria reveals she has fled 'dystopian' America as Trump names radical right wing cabinet

Dog-free zones should be introduced to tackle racism, the Welsh government has been told.

Dog-free zones needed in countryside to tackle racism, Welsh government told

A 'major' suspected people smugger has been arrested in Amsterdam

'Major' Turkish supplier of small boats for Channel migrant crossings arrested as 'British FBI' swoop in airport

Clifton Suspension Bridge has quit Elon Musk's X after 15 years on the site.

Clifton suspension bridge dramatically departs from Twitter sparking wave of online jokes

Exclusive
Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year.

Students take gap years and ‘neglect studies’ as survey suggests Edinburgh rents skyrocketed by nearly two thirds in a year

Two Just Stop Oil protesters charged over June's incident

Two Just Stop Oil activists charged after orange paint thrown over Stonehenge

Man arrested after reports of person carrying knives outside Houses of Parliament

Man charged with carrying offensive weapons after 'knife' incident near Parliament

Exclusive
Michael Harris died in an e-scooter crash

'My best friend was killed in an e-scooter crash - I'm urging the government not to legalise them for use on roads'

Hilkiah McLeggan, 77, from Southwark, was pronounced dead at the scene in East Street, Walworth.

First picture of Walworth market 'knife rampage' victim as suspect appears in court

Police at Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage where three people died and seven people were taken to hospital

Woman arrested over Dorset care home deaths released without charge

Donald Trump with Matt Gaetz

Trump's pick for US attorney-general faced sex-trafficking investigation by department he's now set to lead