Bruce Castor, the former district attorney (DA) who decided against criminally charging Bill Cosby, said in an interview on Wednesday that Cosby’s release from prison was a win for the “justice system and Constitution,” not for the former comedian.
Speaking to KYW Newsradio host Jim Melwert, Castor said he was not surprised by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision, adding that he was “impressed” with the opinion that was written by Justice David Wecht.
“What happened to Mr. Cosby was really egregious, and what they did to him should never happen to any American citizen at any social strata,” said Castor.
As stated in the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s majority opinion, Castor decided against bringing criminal charges against Cosby in 2005 for the alleged assault of Andrea Constand. Castor “promised” that criminal charges for this case would never be brought forth, supposedly in order to secure a testimony from Cosby and have him surrender his Fifth Amendment rights.
Castor’s successor as district attorney, Risa Vetri Ferman, decided against honoring the agreement and brought criminal charges against Cosby, ultimately using his own testimony against him to secure a guilty verdict on three counts of aggravated indecent assault in 2018. Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison.
Castor came to public prominence earlier this year when he joined the defense team representing former President Trump in his second impeachment trial.
Melwert noted that Castor had previously stated that he is not on Cosby’s side. Melwert asked Castor how he felt now that Cosby was released from prison.
“My thoughts are that we got a measure of justice when he had to pay millions of dollars to the alleged victim, and he has had his life disrupted, horrifically so, in reliance on my promise that he wouldn’t be prosecuted, so the justice system and Constitution won today, not Bill Cosby,” Castor said.
Melwert also asked if Castor felt a sense of “exoneration” with the court’s decision on Wednesday.
“Well, I do feel exonerated. I’m very pleased that the justice system worked the way it was supposed to,” Castor said.
“Remember, you know, when the Constitution wins, we all win. And it doesn’t make me the DA. And remember, this was used to keep me from becoming DA. But we all win when the justice system enforces the Constitution, and that’s what happened today.”