Judge declares mistrial in Bill Cosby case

bill cosby

Bill Cosby: appeals conviction

Bill Cosby. Photo: BRENNAN LINSLEY/AP

A judge has declared a mistrial in the Bill Cosby sex assault case, after the jury was deadlocked for a second time.

The seven men and five women were unable to reach a unanimous decision, following more than 50 hours of deliberations.

Mr Cosby, 79, is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. His lawyers had argued the sex was consensual.

It now means the US comedian could face new proceedings, BBC reports.

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For now, he walks way from court a free man, but the prosecution has already said they are pursuing a fresh trial.

Mr Cosby could have faced up to a decade in prison if found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

Dozens of women say he assaulted them, but statutes of limitation rules mean he was allowed to be tried for Ms Constand’s allegation only.

BBC reports that announcing the decision, the Pennsylvania judge reminded Mr Cosby that he remains charged and on bail, despite the mistrial.

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