Bill Cosby celebrates 84th birthday as a free man, sends message to his supporters

Bill Cosby shared a message for his supporters to celebrate his 84th birthday on Monday, July 12.  Cosby’s 2018 sexual assault conviction was overturned by Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court last week after it found that an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case. The disgraced actor had served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand. To celebrate his birthday, Cosby, who continues to deny any wrongdoing, thanked his supporters for their support. “On my Birthday — I wholeheartedly thank you for your support, thank you for fighting for my freedom, and thank you for staying grounded and on the case,” Cosby said in a statement to supporters. The comic additionally shared an image of himself, standing collectively together with his fingers in a white sweatshirt that learn “Hello Friend” in multicolored letters. Cosby’s celebration comes days after multiple women who had previously accused him of sexual assault gathered at Independence Mall in Philadelphia for a vigil to protest over his release from prison.  The group carried signs that read, “Bill Cosby: America’s Predator,” and, “Serial Rapist Cosby Freed = No Justice.” At least three women who have accused Cosby of raping them; Lili Bernard, Stacey Pinkerton, and Victoria Valentino were present at the vigil to make their voices heard, according to WCAU.