Bill Cosby was denied parole by the Pennsylvania Parole Board, and it laid out a few reasons why. In a letter obtained by CNN, the Board said Cosby, 83, must “participate in and complete additional institutional programs.”
The outlet reported that the decision came down on May 11 and the Board noted that a “negative recommendation by the Department of Corrections” contributed to Cosby’s parole being denied. Cosby’s “failure to develop a parole release plan” also played a role in the Board’s decision.
Cosby is currently serving a three to ten year sentence for drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University employee in his home back in 2004.
The letter reportedly said that at Cosby’s next meeting with the Board, they will be looking to see if he’s completed treatment programs for sex offenders and violence prevention. They also said Cosby needs to keep a “clear conduct record,” too.
Andrew Wyatt, a spokesperson for Cosby said the Board’s decision wasn’t a surprise to the actor or his legal team.
“Mr. Cosby has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and continues to deny all allegations made against him, as being false, without the sheer evidence of any proof,” Wyatt said in a statement. “Today, Mr. Cosby continues to remain hopeful that the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court will issue an opinion to vacate his conviction or warrant him a new trial,” the statement added.
In December, Cosby’s legal team argued for an appeal to overturn Cosby’s conviction at the state Supreme Court, though a ruling hasn’t been made yet. Cosby was convicted and sentenced in 2018 after a mistrial in 2017.
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