Cosby hit with $59 million verdict in California civil case over 1972 assault

A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972, awarding a total of $59.25 million: $17.5 million in past damages, $1.75 million for future damages, and $40 million in punitive damages, after a two-week Santa Monica trial. Cosby’s lawyers said they will appeal. Motsinger described finally being heard after decades, as the case adds to the wave of #MeToo-era scrutiny surrounding Cosby and parallels earlier lawsuits and his overturned Pennsylvania conviction.