By Enyichukwu Enemanna
A court in California, United States has awarded $19.25m in damages against actor Bill Cosby over allegation of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman sometime early 1970s.
The case was brought by Donna Motsinger, now in her 80s, who told the court that the former entertainer picked her up in 1972 and offered her a drink along with a tablet she thought was harmless.
Shortly after the drink, she lost control of her body and faded in and out of awareness, she told the court in her legal filing.
She said her memory of the incident is fragmented, but recalled brief flashes before later waking up at home with signs she had been violated.
Cosby, 88, denied the allegation. His lawyers argued that Motsinger’s account lacks clear recollection of events, insisting that no assault took place.
His attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said he intends to challenge the court verdict.
The amount awarded relates to damages determined by the court, with a separate decision on possible additional penalties still pending.
The ruling is the latest development in a long line of allegations against Cosby, whose public image collapsed after dozens of women came forward with similar accusations spanning several decades.
He has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, maintaining that his relationships were consensual.
In 2021, Cosby was released from prison after a previous conviction in Pennsylvania was overturned due to a legal technicality, nearly three years into his sentence.
