Lawyer Says Bill Cosby Did Not Get a Fair Trial

Last week comedian Bill Cosby was ordered to pay Donna Motsinger $59 million after she sued him for an assault that happened in 1972 [click here if you missed that].

Cosby's attorney claims he did not receive a fair trial...

From People

Bill Cosby’s attorney is speaking out after a jury found the disgraced comedian liable for sexual assault and ordered him to pay more than $59 million in damages.

In a new statement shared with PEOPLE on March 24, Cosby’s lawyer argued that the verdict was flawed and vowed to appeal.

“Mr. Cosby was denied a fair trial,” says his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean. “No one can meaningfully defend against allegations that are a half-century old. This case exemplifies how the retroactive abolition of statutes of limitations cannot be reconciled with due process.”

Bonjean further claimed that the proceedings were unfairly influenced by allegations beyond the scope of the case.

“The jury was bombarded with uncharged, unproven accusations, turning the proceedings into a trial of Mr. Cosby’s character rather than an evaluation of the plaintiff’s claims,” she continued. “The excessive damages award bore no relation to the evidence and was clearly intended to make Mr. Cosby a symbol.”

Calling the outcome “a profound failure of the legal system,” the 88-year-old’s legal team confirmed that they plan to challenge the verdict.

“This represents a profound failure of the legal system and sets a dangerous precedent,” his attorney concluded. “An appeal is forthcoming.”

A California jury awarded the plaintiff, Donna Motsinger, $19.25 million for pain and suffering, and an additional $40 million in punitive damages, bringing the total judgment to approximately $59.25 million.