Lawyers for Bill Cosby filed a bail application on his behalf Wednesday, as they accused the judge who sentenced him to prison of being part of a corrupt, racist plot against him.
In a statement posted to Cosby’s Instagram account, attorneys for the disgraced comedian — who has called himself a “political prisoner” like Nelson Mandela — claimed Judge Steven O’Neill found their client guilty because he is black.
“His dishonorable conduct makes me smile, because this judge is being exposed, and it shows that this is bigger than me,” the post reads. “O’Neill now has his formula: tried, true and tested to destroy any black man and/or colored man In America.”
Cosby’s lawyers on Wednesday filed an application requesting the imprisoned sex offender be released on bail during an appeal process, arguing that O’Neill displayed “racial hatred” toward Cosby.
The 81-year-old actor is serving a three- to 10-year sentence in a prison outside Philadelphia after he was convicted in 2017 of drugging and sexually assaulting friend Andrea Constand.
More than 60 women came forward claiming to have been sexually assaulted by the actor, who has denied any wrongdoing. If an appeal is raised, trial judges are obliged to prepare a brief statement listing the reasons for sentencing. This is called Rule 1925(a). In Cosby’s case, O’Neill has yet to file this 1925(a) opinion despite repeated appeals from his legal team.
“Judge Steven T. O’Neill continues to show his disgust and prejudice towards Mr. Cosby,” his lawyers argued Wednesday. “Judge O’Neill is purposely denying Mr. Cosby the right to file his appeal.”
“We’re asking that this scandalous judge be removed immediately, and Mr. Cosby be granted bail throughout the appeals process, because the judge’s racial hatred towards Mr. Cosby, clouds his better judgement to be a good steward of the bench.”
The convicted actor is also fighting a $7 million legal bill from one of the many law firms he hired during his trial. In February, the disgraced star claimed he was imprisoned because of his political beliefs.
“My political beliefs, my actions of trying to humanize all races, genders and religions landed me in this place surrounded by barb wire fencing, a room made of steel and iron,” he said in a statement at the time.
At his sentencing last September, O’Neill sided with the state in determining that Cosby was a “sexually violent predator,’’ a drastic designation. O’Neill had refused to let Cosby remain free on $1 million bail pending his appeal, saying the infamous sex offender “could quite possibly be a danger to the community.”
