Photo courtesy of The New York Post/ Twitter.
Comedian Bill Cosby is defending his friend Phylicia Rashad after the actress was roasted for celebrating his overturned conviction. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Cosby released a statement reminding Howard University about Rashad’s Freedom of Speech.
“Howard University you must support ones Freedom of Speech (Ms. Rashad), which is taught or suppose to be taught everyday at that renowned law school, which resides on your campus,” read the statement.
As Sister 2 Sister reported, Cosby’s sexual assault conviction for assaulting Andrea Constand was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on June 30. The 83-year-old was released after serving nearly three years of his three to 10-year sentence.
Rashad, 73, was thrilled that her friend was released from prison and Tweeted her happiness. The actress was quickly dragged on social media, and Howard students demanded her removal as the dean of the College of Fine Arts.
Rashad apologized to sexual assault victims and Howard University, saying that she meant no harm and would attend training programs on sexual assault. Howard University also issued a statement denouncing Rashad’s initial Tweet.
Cosby retweeted a message posted by songstress Stephanie Mills stating that if Howard was coming for Rashad’s job, they also need to come to Bill Cosby with his money. Cosby has donated millions to HBCUs over the years.
“I love you @phyliciarashad. If it’s true that Howard University wants to terminate her Position because they feel her comments about Mr. Cosby were insensitive, then they should give back the millions of dollars that he donated to the university.”
Cosby retweeted the post with a comment.
“Thank you @iamstephaniemills your voice has always been powerful!”
Cosby posted court documents that said that Cosby’s conviction had been overturned due to due process and not a technicality. He also claimed that the media has a hand in painting him as a predator.
“Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. William H. Cosby. Concurring and Dissenting Opinion. By publicly announcing that appellant William Cosby would not be charged with any crimes related to Andrea Constand — a decision apparently made, in part, to FORCE Cosby to testify in Constand’s future anticipated CIVIL SUIT — former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor intended to, and in fact did, force Cosby to give up his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination. Then, years later, Castor’s successor used the damaging evidence Cosby turned over in the civil case to convict him of the same criminal offenses he had previously been induced to believe were off the table. I am constrained to agree with the majority that due process does not permit the government to engage in this type of coercive bait-and-switch. For these reasons, Cosby’s convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged.”
Reactions to Cosby’s Twitter-athon were mixed between supporters for sexual assault survivors and supporters of Cosby’s. Director Titus Burrell said that he now hated the comedian. Others welcomed him home.
Cosby, who has always maintained that he was innocent, is in talks with promotors to go back on the road doing stand-up to replace finances lost since his 2015 arrest. Howard University hasn’t responded to Cosby’s defense of Rashad.