Moments after a judge ordered Bill Cosby to serve a minimum of three years in state prison for a sexual assault, the former TV sitcom star burst into laughter in the courtroom.
Page Six reports that Cosby was seen joking and laughing with his legal team after Judge Steven O’Neill sentenced him to 3 to 10 years and ordered him remanded in custody without bail. It’s not clear what Cosby and his lawyers were joking about, but the report says that he was laughing as sheriff’s deputies approached him to take him into custody.
In April, Cosby was found guilty of drugging and sexually abusing Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania home. Dozens more women have accused Cosby of sexual assault, often involving forcible sedation, but largely due to statute of limitations laws, only Constand’s allegations resulted in criminal charges.
Before Judge O’Neill delivered the sentencing, he said in court that Cosby would be classified as a “sexually violent predator.” Cosby will have to register as a sex offender and submit to monthly counseling for the rest of his life.
He was also ordered to pay a $25,000 fine.
[Feature image: AP Photo/Jacqueline Larma]