I would take that as a romantic activity is about to happen. Russell told us. Networks stopped airing his show. Lead attorney Tom Mesereau says his team had unearthed an old pal of Andrea Constand, Robert Russell, to bring out the ghosts in Andrea & Gianna Constands past. If you take Andrea Constand out of the picture, Bill Cosby wouldnt be on trial. His deposition came to the public and investigators attention only once the judge unsealed them in 2015. The healer in me knew I had to dive back into everything again and really try to remember and it was really chilling for me at times, she said. I had a whole community, a whole army of women and other survivors, strangers, family, friends, who were right there with me. Powered by BlueHost . Andrea Constand on Her Memoir and Cosby's Overturned Conviction - The Russell came out during Constands initial complaint against Bill Cosby but police didnt want to hear any of what he had to say so Russell reached out to Cosbys former legal team, led by Philadelphia based lawyer Brian McMonagle, who interviewed him and got a statement. They were devastated, they were so angry, she said. Montgomery Countys Kevin Steele ran for district attorney on the promise to prosecute Cosby for sexually assaulting a white woman named Andrea Constand. Although that civil lawsuit was settled out of court by Cosby in November 2006, it produced nearly 1,000 pages of testimony provided by the entertainer over four days in 2005 and 2006. Dressed casually in a white blazer and black pants, Andrea Constand mostly retained her composure as she answered a barrage of questions from defense attorney Angela Agrusa, a high-powered Los . Andrea Constand was taking what she has described as a step toward healing: 16 years after naming Bill Cosby in a lawsuit as the man who had sexually assaulted her, and three years after he was . These cookies do not store any personal information. Editors note: This story was first published on June 13, 2017. Every time I look at the pictures when shes walking in the court she has that smile, she has that smirk. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. As we hugged, she writes, I heard the same words over and over: We always believed you, Andrea. Of course their verdict told me they had come to the conclusion that my testimony was credible. Moreover, she has a sister named Diana Constand Parsons. Bill Cosby was entitled to an acquittal. Someday the truth will prevail, it always does.. Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand slams overturned conviction Najee Seabrooks family demands police release bodycam footage of shooting that killed man in mental distress. After a series of questions Tom Mesereau asked Andrea under oath about Bill Cosbys wife, Camille Cosby, Andrea told Mesereau it was none of her business to ask about Camille, stating she never saw her, asked where she was or cared to inquire about her. The Canadian athlete-turned- author and now registered massage therapist has seen and heard her name in the news for years. He had already lost an appeal. In 1955, she testified before a jury of white men in a Mississippi courtroom that a 14-year-old African American boy had sexually assaulted her, only to later admit several decades later in 2008 that her testimony was false. With guns drawn, police are seen negotiating with Seabrooks. Talking about her background, Andrea went to the Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute and played basketball for their team. Trauma is not wired for you to remember. A brief video showcasing their relationship could be found, Border agent dies and two others are 'gravely' injured following a shootout in major drug smuggling corridor off the coast of Puerto Rico: Suspected smuggler also dead after two Americans arrested. After a police investigation, a local prosecutor declined to arrest Cosby. Does that sound like something Andrea would do?, Personally, Andrea would put on the boxing gloves and beat you up. It was worth it. Prior to that she was an assistant city editor who oversaw breaking news and the courts and entertainment beats. It was a dramatic downfall for a comedian once known as Americas dad, for his wholesome public image. Her parents are Gianna Constand and Andrew Constand. Absolutely zero remorse for what he did to me. Something interesting happened in 2015. She said, I want to know the truth, what you did to my daughter, Cosby said, according to his deposition. Constand, 44, became acquainted with Cosby in the early 2000s while employed at Temple University, where Cosby maintained a frequent presence as a celebrity alumnus and trustee. Prosecutors are examining the possibility of appeal. Sign up to receive our biggest stories as soon as theyre published. Moreover, Bill Cosbys defense team introduced the testimony of a witness who confirmed that the district attorneys witness admitted that she had not been sexually assaulted, but that she could say she was and get money which is exactly what she did. She says it was her destiny to take on Cosby, in what was a David and Goliath situation.. This was after Andrea joined Temple University as the director of operations. She was born and raised in Toronto, Canada. He opened his hand and he had three blue pills in his hand, she testified. Andrea shared that after listening to her complaints about stress, William gave her three blue pills. Andrea Constand on Testifying Against Bill Cosby and Healing From "What about us black women whom he sexually violated?". It all goes back to her very first boyfriend. Without Andrea Constand, none of this happens. Andrea Constand revealed in 2015 that she is actually lesbian. "He is paralleling my holding him accountable for his drugging and raping me, and the other 60 of us holding him accountable for drugging and raping us to his being a victim of racism, to him being a victim of a modern-day lynching," Bernard said. I firmly believe her recent testimony during trial was perjured; as was shown at trial, it was unsupported by any evidence and riddled with innumerable, dishonest contradictions. Montgomery County's Kevin Steele ran for district attorney on the promise to prosecute Cosby for sexually assaulting a white woman named Andrea Constand. This tragedy must be undone not just for Bill Cosby, but for the country. I thought it was important to write the story for other survivors who had stories, too, she said. Three criminal charges, promised during an unethical campaign for the district attorneys office, were filed against my husbandall based on what I believe to be a falsified account by the newly elected district attorneys key witness. Andreas mother, according to our source, wasnt pleased with the decision not to prosecute Cosby because shes a hardened racist. Gianna Constand told Russel in 2001 after Steve Nash was photographed with a black woman look at this bimbo enraged that Nash chose her over Andrea. I said it involved Mr. Cosby.. Constand led the Arizona Wildcats to win the NIT, and her average was 10 points per game in her senior year. She said if she ever saw her daughter in an interracial relationship she would stop her and if she couldnt, shed make something up.Referring to Gianna Constand, the mother of Andrea. Professionally, Andrea Constand was a professional basketball player. Reporter Stacy Brown also tweeted about the alleged incident, which was one of two incidents regarding racial discrimination throughout the trial. Much later, on December 30, 2015, the authorities charged Cosby with three 2nd degree felony counts of aggravated indecent assault. Andrea Constand, Bill Cosby's chief accuser, says she wants justice - PBS What Is Andrea Constand Nationality? She hadnt told anyone before because there was an element of fear, she told police. What about former Today Show anchor Matt Lauer, who is accused of sexually assaulting at least one former co-worker, or President Donald Trump, whom multiple women have accused of sexual assault or harassment? Because as one black woman said in a social media post I wont soon forget, If he was white, he would be president., Listen to Solomon Jones on Praise 107.9 FM weekdays from 10 am to Noon. Our system failed Najee: Advocates renew calls for mental health support in wake of N.J. police killing. I hope people will still find their voices. Andrea Constand pictured during the sentencing hearing for Bill Cosby at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Monday, Sept. 24, 2018. Andrea hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and her zodiac sign is Aries. On Tuesday, Bill Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison after being convicted in the spring of sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand. Bill Cosby's prevailing accuser, Andrea Constand, is gay - Yahoo In a deposition, Cosby said he fell in love with Constand. A portrayal of Cosby was removed from Philadelphias Gallery Mall. I said something happened a while back. Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Constand tells of shock at decision to set She didnt like that, Russel told us, referring to Gianna Constand, Andreas mother. Along the way, the courts also seemed to work to make a conviction more likely. Source: Orlando Sentinel. ', was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison, he drugged and then sexually assaulted her, a copy of her entire Jan. 22, 2005 statement, purchased Quaaludes to have sex with women. I dont want her to be anywhere close to me.. The court has already ruled that the earlier decision not to charge Cosby was not binding and that the current case should go forward. Her full name is Andrea Erminia Constand. All I can say is that family has the capability of doing that stuff. In the UK, Rape Crisis offers support on 0808 802 9999. I cant speak for any of the other accusers, but when it comes to Andrea Constand, I couldve showed them who she really was., I think Gianna was sitting back, accumulating information taking notes after notes after notes in order to accomplish one goal. Russell said. Later on, Cosby clarified that these pills were the over-the-counter antihistamine, Benadryl. Andrea, said Kate Delano, the district attorneys director of communications, the Supreme Court has vacated his conviction.. Anyone can read what you share. The third day of Cosbys trial ended with testimony from Constands mother, who was the first person Constand told about the alleged assault, and called Cosby to confront him. It wont matter.. Bill Cosby's defense attorney tore into his client's accuser, Andrea Constand, on Tuesday during closing arguments at the comedian's retrial, calling her a "pathological liar." Earlier, Connor was a staff writer at the New York Post, United Press International and Brooklyn Paper Publications. She would do anything to please her parents.. Russell who started to say he was more than a close friend of Constands before he was cut off by an objection took the stand for a mere five minutes to testify that while he knew her in Canada in 2001, she was pursuing a career in broadcast journalism. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Honorary degrees from multiple universities were revoked. Talking about her family, Andreas parents are mother Gianna Constand and father Andy Constand. https://t.co/Kbm6pT3lX3, Stacy Brown Media (@StacyBrownMedia) April 27, 2018, When I saw all of this I said to myself: thats a lie, thats a lie, thats a lie. Russell said, speaking about when he first saw Bill Cosby was charged for sexually assaulted Andrea Constand.I know what that family is capable of doing. But she said that whatever he gave her left her so incapacitated she couldnt speak or move while Cosby was fondling her breasts, put his hand in her pants penetrated her vagina with his fingers and took her right hand and placed it on his penis, according to the arrest affidavit. Andrea Constand was born on April 11, 1973, and she is currently 49 years old. At 6ft, Im the opposite of petite I had never before, even as a child, felt physically intimidated by anyone or anything. She said, Nothing. She said, Your apology is enough. . Cosby would not only be freed: The court also ruled he could not be tried again. Talking about her educational journey, Andrea attended Albert Campbell Collegiate Institute. Sure, Andrea Constand is just one of dozens of accusers who allege Bill Cosby either sexually assaulted, molested or raped them. from ten years ago.. I had a lump in my throat, Constand, 48, said in a rare in-depth interview last month near her new home north of Toronto. All based on what I believe to be a falsified account by the newly elected district attorneys key witness. The prosecutions decision to call Constand late in the afternoon of the second day of Cosbys trial caught many people off-guard including Judge Steven T. O'Neill, who scolded the prosecution for deviating from court norms by calling such an important witness so late in the day. Diana has two daughters, Melanie and Andrea, with her husband, Stuart Parsons. Andrea hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and her zodiac sign is Aries. This was her opportunity to rebel against a black man. The mother of Bill Cosby accuser Andrea Costand testified Wednesday that after Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her daughter, she moved home to live with her parents in Ontario, Canada . She said three times, This is a mothers nightmare. She said, I dont know how long its going to take Andrea to heal and I dont know how long its going to take me to heal. , Cosby apologized and said, What can I do? according to his Jan. 26, 2005 statement to police. Society paid attention, she said. Prosecutors want permission to put up to 13 women who say they were drugged and abused on the witness stand, to establish a pattern of behavior dating back to the 1960s. Her phone was otherwise blowing up with calls from friends and other women who had accused Cosby of sexual assault. For the next 14 months, Cosby, who was 35 years Constands senior, nurtured their relationship by inviting her to my house, talking to her about personal situations dealing with her life, growth, education, access and thoughts to how to acquire a more aggressive attitude, protecting oneself in business, he said in his deposition. Click here to get breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases in the True Crime Newsletter. His home was in Elkins Park, a suburb of Philadelphia. Bill Cosby is definitely not proud of some of the things that happened during his marriage but does that add up to sexual assault? He said he was not in possession of the now-banned sedative when he assaulted Constand. Not one bit of sexual assault is tolerable. The dust once kicked up by the trial, by the verdict, by the media attention, by the focus on her case as a breakthrough moment for the #MeToo era, had largely settled. Constand said she didnt really care if he returned to the stage, but would tell anybody that gives him a platform: rape is not a joke., Information and support for anyone affected by rape or sexual abuse issues is available from the following organisations. The question many people have posed and will continue to pose. But as a black man in America, I viewed their stories through a complicated prism of race and politics, gender and history. Constand, who is gay and was in a relationship with a woman at the time, told investigators she had no interest whatsoever in a romantic relationship with him, but had viewed Cosby as a mentor and felt they had a sincere friendship.. They found Bill Cosby guilty on all three counts, I said aloud, the shock evident in my voice. Three criminal charges, promised during an unethical campaign for the district attorneys office, were filed against my husband Camille Cosby wrote in a statement earlier this week. I just wanted to go home.. It was paired with a statement that took issue with media reporting on his case. Black men like Cosby should not be the only ones going to jail. Caption: Andrea Constand photographed during her young age. Andrea Constand accused Bill Cosby of drugging her with pills before sexually assaulting her. You can disable footer widget area in theme options - footer options, Is Andrea Constand Black Or White? Please give today. The defense also accused Constand of being evasive with police in 2005 by subtracting 10 months off the total time she had known Cosby (Constand originally said it was six months, but it was actually sixteen) and for withholding from investigators that she had met with Cosby alone on several occasions and that the two had a habit of exchanging gifts. Cosbys sexual assault conviction overturned in June, It doesnt change the fact that my testimony was believed. She knows exactly what shes doing. Its fair to say you were looking for a lawyer? Agrusa asked. She spoke like Adolf Hitler. She gained international recognition after the civil suit filed in March 2005. " Andrea's mother hates black men," Robert Russell, a close friend of the Constand family told YC during an exclusive interview in a suburban hotel outside of Philadelphia. People believed them when they did. She is often confused for being black or white, but she is white. Constand is one of more than 50 women to accuse the 78-year-old of sexual assault. History tells me that black men who face the American justice system are disproportionately incarcerated. As she releases her memoir, Constand details her reactions to the court decision that overturned Bill Cosbys conviction on sexual assault charges. During the writing, she got Covid-19 and was sick on her couch in Toronto for six weeks with an elephant on my chest. The experience, the encounter with her own mortality, propelled her to finish the book. I would do anything, as long as it was for the right reason.. In a series of court filings that will be the subject of pretrial hearings that open this week, the comedian's lawyers say he is a victim of prejudice. But even as I watched the drama play out to its inevitable conclusion, there was a still small voice whispering in my head. Its how we live. Bill Cosby Accuser Andrea Constand Debuts Book - ELLE The outcomes for those men and countless others remain to be seen. She mostly played professionally in Europe. The . I was still traumatized about the whole situation.