Civil Jury Finds Bill Cosby Liable for 1972 Drugging and Sexual Assault of Donna Motsinger, Awards $59.25 Million Including Punitive Damages
A California civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for the 1972 drugging and sexual assault of Donna Motsinger and awarded her $59.25 million — $19.25 million in compensatory damages ($17.5 million for past mental trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering) plus $40 million in punitive damages after a second-phase hearing. Motsinger testified she was invited to Cosby’s show, given wine and two pills, and later woke at home partially undressed; the suit also named Cosby’s production company Jemmin, Inc. and the former Circle Star Theater, deliberations lasted about two days, and Cosby’s attorney said the defense is disappointed and will appeal.
📌 Key Facts
- A civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for drugging and sexually assaulting Donna Motsinger in 1972.
- The jury awarded Motsinger a total of $59.25 million: $19.25 million in compensatory damages (broken down as $17.5 million for past mental trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering) and $40 million in punitive damages.
- A separate punitive-damages phase of the trial began immediately after the liability finding and resulted in the $40 million punitive award.
- Motsinger alleged she was a server in Sausalito who was invited to Cosby’s show in San Carlos, was given wine and two pills (in a limousine and dressing room), lost consciousness, and later woke at home partially undressed, believing she had been drugged and raped.
- Her lawsuit also named Cosby’s production company Jemmin, Inc. and the former Circle Star Theater, alleging they failed to ensure guest safety and that Jemmin was set up to support Cosby’s business.
- Deliberations lasted about two days, and the $59.25 million judgment is likely the largest financial award Cosby has been ordered to pay to date.
- Cosby’s attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, said the defense is disappointed and intends to appeal; she did not immediately comment on the punitive-damages phase.
- Andrea Constand testified at the trial, and the civil verdict comes after Cosby’s prior criminal conviction was overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
📊 Relevant Data
From 2017 to 2021, the rate of rape or sexual assault victimization was 1.7 per 1,000 for White persons age 12 or older, 1.4 per 1,000 for Black persons, 1.4 per 1,000 for Hispanic persons, 1.1 per 1,000 for Asian or Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander persons, and 4.2 per 1,000 for persons of other races (including American Indian/Alaska Native or two or more races).
Violent Victimization by Race or Hispanic Origin, 2008–2021 — Bureau of Justice Statistics
In fiscal year 2023, of individuals sentenced for sexual abuse offenses, 55.1% were White, 13.9% were Black, 15.2% were Hispanic, 13.0% were Native American, and 2.8% were of other races; for context, U.S. population percentages are approximately 58% White, 13% Black, 19% Hispanic, and 1.3% Native American.
Sexual Abuse — United States Sentencing Commission
In 2018, 28.6% of adults arrested for rape were Black, while Black people comprised 13.6% of the U.S. population.
The Effect of Race and Sex on Contact Sex Crime Arrest Odds — Sociology Compass (Wiley)
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Total damages awarded to Donna Motsinger are $59.25 million, including a new $40 million punitive-damages award added in a second phase of the trial.
- The article clarifies the breakdown of damages: $17.5 million in past damages, $1.75 million in future damages, and $40 million in punitive damages.
- Cosby’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean reiterated that the defense is disappointed and plans to appeal, but did not immediately comment on the punitive-damages phase.
- The piece provides a detailed narrative of Motsinger’s allegation, including that she was a server in Sausalito, was invited to Cosby’s show in San Carlos, given wine and two pills, and awoke at home partially undressed, believing she had been drugged and raped.
- The article notes that deliberations lasted about two days and that this is likely the largest financial award Cosby has been ordered to pay in any case so far.
- It reiterates that Andrea Constand testified at the trial and situates the verdict against Cosby’s prior criminal conviction being overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
- Fox article specifies the total compensatory award as $19.25 million, broken down as $17.5 million for past mental trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering.
- Confirms that a separate punitive-damages phase of the trial began Monday afternoon, immediately after the liability finding.
- Notes that Motsinger’s lawsuit also named Cosby’s production company Jemmin, Inc. and the former Circle Star Theater, alleging they failed to ensure guest safety and that Jemmin was set up to support Cosby’s business.
- Provides specific narrative details of Motsinger’s account (wine in limousine, alleged pill in dressing room, loss of consciousness, waking at home partially undressed) beyond the higher-level description in the existing summary.
- Includes on-record reaction from Cosby’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean confirming they are disappointed with the verdict and intend to appeal.