Jury deadlocked in Bill Cosby verdict

A US jury ended a fourth day of deliberations in the Bill Cosby sexual assault trial without a verdict, despite working into the night. So far they have been deliberating for about 30 hours overall.

Judge Steven T. O’Neill asked the jurors to come back on Friday to see if they can reach agreement.

“Nine o’clock is long enough to be deliberating for this day,” Judge O’Neill said.

“You are exhausted and deliberation should be with a fresh and well rested mind and body,” he said.

It’s not clear what the central point of disagreement among the jurors is over.

The case relates to one woman, Andrea Constand, who has accused Cosby of sexual assault, had been composed and calm on the stand during her testimony last week, but the defence spent most of its time during cross-examination working to establish the inconsistencies and mistakes in her account.

Cosby is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault. The three counts are penetration without consent; penetration while unconscious; and penetration after administering an intoxicant without the subject’s knowledge.

The defence asked for a mistrial, but Judge O’Neill denied the request.

Each count carries a sentence of up to 10 years.

Source: NY Times