Well known comedian and television personality, William “Bill” Cosby, 78, has been accused by 59 women of sexual assault in more than one form and he has been charged in one case. Cosby has been accused of rape and drug facilitated sexual assault (also known as ‘predator rape’, is when someone is the victim of a rape or other sexual assault after someone has intentionally put them under a mind-altering effect from either alcohol or intentionally given a date-rape drug). He has also been accused of sexual battery, child sexual abuse, and sexual misconduct.

There is a long list of 59 women who have accused Cosby of sexually abusing them. The earliest date of the first assault Cosby was accused of happened in December of 1965. Kristina Ruehli accused Cosby of drugging her and assaulting her in her Beverly Hills home in December of the same year. Ruehli was young at the time and only told her boyfriend of the assault. In the 1980s Ruehli told her daughter of the assault. Ruehli did not speak of the assault until she came forward as Jane Doe #12. Ruehli came forward under the identity as “Jane Doe #12” in 2005 in the case of Andrea Constand’s sexual assault case against Cosby.

The 59 cases span from 1965-2008, across ten U.S. states, and one Canadian province. Most of the cases have come to light in this past decade and had begun to pick up a lot of media attention in the last two years. It is unclear as to why it took so long for the women to come forward, but sophomore Julia Peiffer speculates.

“Either because they did not want to be involved, or thought it was their fault, or wanted to move on,” said Peiffer.

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania were the first to bring charges against Cosby. These charges accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting a 31 year old woman. Meanwhile, Los Angeles prosecutors have declined to bring any criminal charges against Cosby in the only two open cases where Cosby is accused of assaulting women. Most of the accused assaults took place in Los Angeles.

On Dec. 30, 2015, three Class II Felony charges of aggravated indecent assaults were filed against Cosby in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania based on allegations by Andrea Constand’s concerning incidents in January of 2006. But the question remains, if Cosby is convicted of something, or multiple things, will he go to jail? Or will another punishment be put into place?

“I think they wouldn’t put him in jail, not because of his age, but because of the issues it would cause for the people putting him in jail,” said sophomore Sarah Schrader.

Age is another big topic, Cosby is getting pretty old, he is 78, and is nearing 79, so another question arises, will Cosby live to see if any more victims come forward and accuse him of more assaults?

“I don’t think so. If there are more, it would be the right time to come forward,” said Peiffer.

Cosby’s wife, Camille Cosby, has stuck with her husband faithfully, Camille Cosby also happens to be her husband’s manager, she even proclaims his innocence. There are even criminal charges that have been filed against Camille Cosby. Ten lawsuits are involving Camille Cosby. It seems to be that, at least in the media, Camille portrays her husband as innocent and wrongfully accuses, even though Bill Cosby has admitted to “casual sex” with women, involving the use of Quaaludes, which are an Rx drug, but were heavily illegally used in the 1970’s disco era mixed with Tylenol and codeine to cause a heroin or morphine like effect. Quaaludes are medically used as a muscle relaxant, for insomnia, and as a sedative.

“She [Camille Cosby] believes he is innocent, or is standing by her husband,” said Peiffer.

Another question remains, how did Cosby get away with so many things for so long? He was constantly surrounded by people on sets, or just in everyday life.

“He was well known for shows and had enough resources, like people and money, to pay people off,” said Schrader.

Amidst all the allegations and court proceedings, many companies and organizations have severed their ties with Cosby.

While there is no clear end or solution to all the assaults Cosby has been accused of, our justice system will take the rightful toll and course on Cosby and convict him of all the charges that he is rightfully charged with. Although, most cases will not be able to go to trial or result in convictions due to the Statute of Limitations.

A federal judge in Pennsylvania dismissed the charges against Cosby that Renita Hill and her lawyer brought up.