More than half a century after she says her life was upended, Donna Motsinger stood outside a California courthouse and reflected on a verdict she had waited decades to hear.
According to Page Six, a jury ordered Bill Cosby to pay $19.25 million in damages after concluding he drugged and sexually assaulted Motsinger following a comedy show in 1972.
The decision came on the third day of deliberations in Los Angeles, marking a significant outcome in a civil lawsuit Motsinger filed in September 2023, per The New York Times.
According to court filings, Motsinger alleged Cosby gave her wine and a pill that caused her to lose consciousness. She later awoke at home, partially unclothed.
“She woke up in her house with all her clothes off, except her underwear on — no top, no bra, and no pants,” her attorneys said. “She knew she had been drugged and raped by Bill Cosby.”
Cosby, now 88, did not testify during the trial, which lasted nearly two weeks.
Following the verdict, his attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said the defense plans to challenge the outcome.
“I was obviously disappointed in the decision, but we believe we have a strong appeal and we’ll pursue that,” she said.
Motsinger, speaking publicly after the ruling, described the moment as long overdue.
“It has been 54 years to get justice, and I know it’s not complete for the rest of the women, but I hope it helps them a little bit,” she said.
She also referred to the financial award as “icing on the cake,” stressing that being believed mattered most and that Cosby “in some way has to be accountable for what he did to me.”
In addition to the damages already awarded, jurors also granted punitive damages, though the amount has not yet been finalized.
The judgment adds to a growing list of legal setbacks for Cosby in recent years.
In a prior civil case, a jury found him liable for sexually abusing Judy Huth at the Playboy Mansion in 1975, when she was 16. He was ordered to pay $500,000 in that case.
Cosby also previously reached settlements with other accusers, including Andrea Constand.
During a deposition tied to Motsinger’s lawsuit, Cosby said the allegations have taken a financial toll.
“Due to allegations, whether they be newspaper, radio, television, magazines or just plain internet, I have not worked in about 10 years, or more,” he said. “That means I have not earned a cent through my being an entertainer, a writer, a television performer, except in reruns, and my net worth has gone down like a submarine with no motor.”
In a statement after the latest verdict, his former spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt, criticized the outcome.
“I am deeply saddened by this verdict,” Wyatt said. “It sets a dangerous precedent to allow decade-old allegations, presented without evidence or proof, to stand.”
He added, “It appears public opinion was heavily manipulated against Mr. Cosby, making a fair trial nearly impossible. My thoughts and prayers are with Mr. and Mrs. Cosby during this difficult time; they deserve to be enjoying their golden years in peace.”
