Civil Jury Finds Bill Cosby Liable for 1972 Drugging and Sexual Assault of Donna Motsinger
A civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for the 1972 drugging and sexual assault of Donna Motsinger and awarded $19.25 million in compensatory damages — $17.5 million for past mental trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering — and the trial moved immediately into a punitive-damages phase. Motsinger’s lawsuit, which also named Cosby’s production company Jemmin, Inc. and the former Circle Star Theater for allegedly failing to ensure guest safety, described wine in a limousine, an alleged pill given in her dressing room, loss of consciousness and waking at home partially undressed; Cosby’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean said they are disappointed and will appeal.
📌 Key Facts
- A civil jury found Bill Cosby liable for the 1972 drugging and sexual assault of Donna Motsinger.
- The jury awarded $19.25 million in compensatory damages — $17.5 million for past mental trauma and $1.75 million for future suffering.
- A separate punitive-damages phase of the trial began Monday afternoon immediately after the liability finding.
- 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.
- Motsinger’s account given at trial said she was served wine in a limousine, was later given an alleged pill in a dressing room, lost consciousness and woke up at home partially undressed.
- On record, Cosby’s attorney Jennifer Bonjean said the team is disappointed with the verdict and intends to appeal.
📊 Relevant Data
California's Assembly Bill 2777, signed into law in 2022, created a three-year lookback window from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, allowing adult survivors of sexual assault to file civil claims that were previously barred by the statute of limitations.
Bill Text: CA AB2777 | 2021-2022 | Regular Session | Chaptered — LegiScan
From 2017 to 2021, 55.2% of violent incidents involving White victims were committed by White offenders, while 15.1% were committed by Black offenders, according to Bureau of Justice Statistics data.
Violent Victimization by Race or Hispanic Origin, 2008–2021 — Bureau of Justice Statistics
In 2021, 31.8% of rape or sexual assault victimizations were reported to police, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.
Criminal Victimization, 2021 — Bureau of Justice Statistics
Most of Bill Cosby's accusers are White women, with only a small number identifying as Black, such as at least two among a group of 13 potential witnesses in a prior case.
Black Cosby Accuser Questions Defense Claim of Racial Bias — NBC News
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- 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.