Bill Cosby has been released from prison after his sexual assault conviction was overturned.
On Wednesday, Pennsylvania’s highest court concluded that Cosby should never have been charged due to a deal he made with a former prosecutor, who agreed not to criminally prosecute the 83-year-old comedian in return for his deposition in a civil case.
“There is only one remedy that can completely restore Cosby to the status quo ante,” said the Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices. “He must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred. We do not dispute that this remedy is both severe and rare. But it is warranted here, indeed compelled. For these reasons, Cosby’s convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged.”
Cosby served more than two years of a three-to-10-year sentence in state prison for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in 2004.
After Wednesday’s stunning reversal, Cosby received support on social media from celebrities including 50 Cent, who celebrated his release.
“My son Bill beat that case, These hoe’s be tripping. LOL,” he wrote alongside a photo of Cosby promoting Jell-O Pudding Pops.
Phylicia Rashad also voiced support for her “Cosby Show” co-star, who cannot be retried on the criminal charges. “FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!” tweeted Rashad.
Others including Big Boi and T.I. also weighed in with their own commentary.