Andrea Constand, the main complainant in the sexual harassment trial against Bill Cosby, testified in court earlier this week. Andrea said that Bill Cosby drugged her and raped her at his home in 2004.
The trial started June 5, and Andrea has testified on day 1 in an appearance that lasted 4 hours. On day 2, she was severely cross examined and grilled by Cosby’s lawyers to get her to admit to discrepancies between her first complaint and later testimonies.
Andrea said that Cosby invited her to his house – she was 30 years old, he was 66 – and gave her three pills and wine. She said that he then told her, “These will help you relax. They are your friends. They will take the edge off.” Drugged and disoriented, Andrea woke up to find that Cosby had sexually assaulted her.
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While more than 40 women have come forward to accuse Bill Cosby of sexual harassment and rape, Andrea Constand is considered the primary witness. It was her initial complaint that led to criminal charges against the TV host and comedian. “She is the linchpin of the case. The whole case stands or falls on her. She is it,” said Lynne M. Abraham, a former Philadelphia district attorney and judge.
While the defence lawyers tried to get Andrea to contradict herself, and tried to raise doubts about her intentions and relationship with Cosby, her testimony was still crucial. “They succeeded in raising some questions, but I doubt any juror is convinced she’s a liar,” Dennis McAndrews, a law expert who has been following the case, said.
Constand’s lawyer, Dolores Troiani, agreed. “She was very brave,” she said. “It’s so intimidating but yet she managed to maintain her composure.”