Bill Cosby’s sudden prison release & overturned conviction SLAMMED by celebs including Debra Messing & Gabrielle Union
DEBRA Messing, Gabrielle Union and Amber Tamblyn led the outraged celebrities slamming Bill Cosby's sudden prison release.
The disgraced comedian, 83, was on Wednesday after his sexual assault conviction was overturned due to an "unfair trial".
served more than two years of a three to 10-year sentence at a state prison near .
He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.
, who was once beloved as "America’s Dad," was convicted of drugging and molesting a Temple University employee at his suburban estate.
Five accusers had testified at 's trial. A total of 62 women accused the comedian of assault at the time of 2018 conviction.
has followed his conviction as and which has been described as a slap in the face of his alleged victims after dozens of women came forward.
Following news of Cosby's release, a slew of celebrities flocked to social media to express their fury.
Will & Grace star Debra Messing tweeted: 'To every woman who was sexual assaulted by #BillCosby my heart hurts for you today and I am full fury. It's horrifying.'
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants actress Amber Tamblyn tweeted: "I am furious to hear this news. I personally know women who this man drugged and raped while unconscious. Shame on the court and this decision."
"How we went too far. Today's news that Cosby's conviction is being overturned is proof we haven't gone far enough. Our justice system MUST change."
The 38-year-old added in another tweet: "I don't want to hear anything about how cancel culture ruined men's lives during the MeToo era reckoning for women and survivors."
Whose Line Is It Anyway host Aisha Tyler retweeted Amber's post and replied: “All you rapist apologists can get TF out my timeline. Don’t worry, I’ll show you out.”
Actress Gabrielle Union posted “#MeToo” while linking to a tweet from journalist Ernest Owens reading, “NOTE: Bill Cosby’s sentencing isn’t being overturned because he’s innocent — but because of a previous deal he struck where he already admitted to drugging women in a deposition.”
Cosby was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era.
Comedian Kathy Griffin raged: “WHEN will things get better for women and girls regarding sexual assault, sexism, misogyny and ageism? What will it take? So discouraged.”
Rosanna Arquette, who was one of the first actresses to come forward to accuse Harvey Weinstein of assault, posted: "I know many young women and men who are so afraid to press charges against their rapist and re traumatize themselves I am heartbroken today to hear of the news of Cosby's release.
"This is sickening. My heart is with my sister survivors. We have work to do. Bill Cosby is STILL an evil rapist. The end."
Comedian Rosie O’Donnell pointed out the dozens of women who accused Cosby of various levels of sexual misconduct.
“I GUESS 70 WOMEN WEREN'T ENOUGH – f**k u bill,” she tweeted.
Others lashed out at the prosecutor and Supreme Court for overturning Cosby's conviction.
NFL veteran Damien Woody said: "All the smoke should be pointed squarely at the prosecutor's office in the #Cosby case for making that colossal error."
Author Keith Boykin tweeted: "The 5th Amendment is an essential tool to protect the rights of the powerless in America against the powerful.
"Please don't blame the Constitution for the Bill Cosby decision. Blame the prosecutors who violated the Constitution."
Author Roxane Gay tweeted: "He raped more than 60 women but I guess that doesn't matter? Anyway, I'm still on my abolition journey.
"I was fine with him staying in prison for the remainder of his life... And yes, the prosecutors are responsible for this. They can have some of this smoke, too."
One celebrity who was pleased with Cosby's release was .
Phylicia, 71, tweeted on Wednesday: "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"
Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air star Janet Hubert slammed Phylicia for her post, raging: "Phylicia what are you thinking!!!
"I don't know you but to say this was terribly wrong. EVERYONE knew what he was doing back then. How could you NOT! I would have said he's old he's out and I'm happy for him, but he still ...guilty. Enough Ya'll we know better. Powerful men do wrong things, Black or white..."
Phylicia, who was recently named Dean of the Howard University College of Fine Arts, later backtracked on her words.
The actress wrote: "I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing."
In May, Cosby was denied paroled after refusing to participate in sex offender programs during his nearly three years in state prison.
Judges said there had been a "process violation" by the prosecution as they overturned the conviction - after a previous agreement which lawyers described as "unusual".
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Cosby's legal team had made an agreement with previous state district attorney Bruce Castor that he would not be prosecuted in exchange for deposition in 2005 lawsuit brought against him by Constand.
During the deposition he made a series of incriminating statements as he described his sex life and predatory behaviour towards young women.
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He described using his fame to push women into sex acts - such as seducing a teenage model who sent him a poem - along with a pattern of drug taking and claiming he was good at picking up nonverbal cues signalling consent.
Castor had thought there would not be enough forensic evidence without Cosby's testimony - and the civil suit was settled for $3million in 2006.