Bill Cosby sexual assault retrial stalled over juror’s comment

BILL Cosby’s retrial for alleged sexual assault has hit a snag over claims that one juror may already believe the disgraced US megastar is guilty.

Opening statements were delayed Monday local time after the defence team moved to strike one juror, who was allegedly overheard saying: “I just think he’s guilty, so we can all be done and get out of here.”

Judge Steven O’Neill announced that he would interview the juror who claims to have overheard the remark behind closed doors.

Twelve jurors — five women and seven men — as well as six alternates were selected last week for the trial in the Philadelphia suburb of Norristown, but have not yet been sworn in.

Once they are, observers expect a dramatically different trial.

O’Neill has agreed to let five other Cosby accusers testify, compared to just one the last time, handing a major victory to prosecutors, who will seek to paint Cosby as a serial predator.

The defence team has also changed, now headed by Los Angeles celebrity import Tom Mesereau, with his distinctive mane of thick white hair, known for getting Michael Jackson acquitted of child molestation.

The now 80-year-old Cosby could spend the rest of his life behind bars if convicted of drugging and molesting former university employee Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

The three counts of aggravated indecent assault in connection with Constand, who now lives in Canada, are the only criminal charges to stick against Cosby.

As Cosby walked towards the Pennsylvania court on Monday local time, a topless protester jumped over the barrier and ran towards the comedian, before being tussled into the bushes by security and taken into custody.

“Women’s lives matter,” yelled Nicolle Rochelle, 39, with “Cosby rapist,” “women’s lives matter” and the names of Cosby accusers written on her naked torso. She was charged with disorderly conduct.

Rochelle is an actress who appeared on several episodes of The Cosby Show in the early 1990s. She told reporters that the star had never mistreated her.

The pioneering black entertainer’s first trial ended in a hung jury in June last year, with a sequestered panel hopelessly deadlocked after six days of testimony and 52 hours of deliberations.

In recent years, some 60 women have accused the Emmy-winning Cosby, who today claims to be legally blind, of being a serial predator, alleging that he drugged and assaulted them over a span of 40 years.

The case forever tarnished the legacy of an actor once adored by millions as “America’s Dad” for his seminal role as loveable father and obstetrician Cliff Huxtable on the hit 1984-92 television series.