Bill Cosby sentencing: First day of hearing draws to a close with comedian facing up to 30 years jail time

Cosby was being convicted in April of violating Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home

Bill Cosby arrives at court for sentencing

Day one of Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing that will determine how the 81-year-old comedian will be punished for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman more than 14 years ago has been adjourned. A judge is expected to sentence Cosby in the Philadelphia area courthouse on Tuesday.

Cosby was the first celebrity to go to trial in the #MeToo era and could be the first to go to prison, after being convicted in April of violating Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.

Cosby walked into the courthouse on the arm of his longtime spokesman as protesters shouted at him.

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Court adjourned in the late afternoon on the first day of the two-day hearing. Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill has reportedly stated in court that prosecutors and defence lawyers have agreed to merge the charges against Cosby. The state guidelines for someone like Cosby, with no prior convictions, call for about one to four years behind bars.

Whatever the sentence, Cosby is likely to be deemed a sexually violent predator and will have to undergo monthly counselling the rest of his life, in prison or out. Neighbours and schools will be warned he is living nearby.

Associated Press

[24 September 2018 21:25 · Kristin Hugo]

Bill Cosby's lawyer Joseph Green has argued that Cosby would be at risk behind bars because of his age and because, as they declare, he is legally blind. 

Mr Green suggested an alternative punishment program, calling prison an "excessive hardship". 

[24 September 2018 21:40 · Kristin Hugo]

A psychologist set to testify on Tuesday will reportedly be the only defence witness at Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing, Cosby's defence team has said.

[24 September 2018 21:50 · Kristin Hugo]

Prosecutors have asked Judge Steven O'Neill to sentence Bill Cosby to five to 10 years in prison, the AP reports. 

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said the Cosby is still capable of slipping women drugs and assaulting them – says the sentence should send the message "nobody's above the law".

[24 September 2018 21:59 · Kristin Hugo]

According to CNN, Judge Steven O'Neill has said in court that all three counts in Bill Cosby's case have merged for sentencing.  

The state sentencing guidelines indicate 22 to 36 months, plus or minus 12 months due to aggravating or mitigating circumstances. 

[24 September 2018 22:05 · Kristin Hugo]

Our live coverage has ended for the day, but we will continue the coverage for the second day of Bill Cosby's sentencing hearing on Tuesday.