Fox News host Gregg Jarrett suggested on Wednesday that one of Bill Cosby's assault victims created a "problem" for prosecutors by taking drugs from him before his attack.
"The problem with the alleged victim here is, she willingly took the pills," Jarrett said. "She willingly took the wine. Does she bear some responsibility, and does that undercut the criminal charges against Bill Cosby?"
"It's arguable, Gregg," contributor Eboni Williams replied. "One could say, 'That's what he says.' He says that she willingly took it. We don't know what he told her those pills were. These are just arguments that the prosecutor might make."
As Reuters reported, Cosby was charged with sexual assaulting a woman inside his Pennsylvania mansion in January 2004, shortly before the 12-year statute of limitations in these types of cases was set to expire. He is being held on $1 million bond.
Both Jarrett and Williams noted that Cosby admitted to giving women drugs in a 2005 deposition and forced himself on them without being sure they consented to sexual activity. Williams added that such statements would make it hard for Cosby to defend himself despite the length of time since the original accusations.
"I do believe that [prosecutors are] not gonna bring these facts in a high-profile case like this unless they feel they have probable cause and enough facts to move forward," she said. "That's why they declined to do it in '05 but we're seeing a different outcome here today."
The comedian has been accused by more than 50 women of drugging them and assaulting them over the course of the past few decades. According to the Washington Post, 10 more women have suits pending against the former Cosby Show star.
Watch the discussion, as aired on Wednesday, below.
