American actor and comedian, Bill Cosby, who was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman, has been denied parole.
According to Pennsylvania Parole Board, Cosby was denied parole this month for failure to complete a program mandatory for sex offenders.
Recall that he was convicted and sentenced to 2-3 years in 2018 for drugging and assaulting a woman, Andrea Constand, at his suburban Pennsylvania mansion in 2004.
Cosby is not eligible for release until Sept. 25 at the earliest.
However, the board started interviewing candidates three to five months in advance and according to the board spokeswoman, Laura Treaster, an interview was conducted with Cosby on May 7, but his parole was denied after the interview.
Cosby’s failure to complete the therapy, failure to develop a parole release plan and a “negative recommendation” from corrections officials caused his parole to be denied.
However, the board officials will look to see whether he has “successfully participated in/successfully completed a treatment program for sex offenders and violence prevention,” in his next interview.
The comedian’s spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, said the decision “was not a surprise” after Cosby refused to participate in what he called a “sexually violent predator” course.
According to Wyatt, Cosby has continued to deny the allegations against him.
“Mr. Cosby has vehemently proclaimed his innocence and continues to deny all allegations made against him,” Wyatt said Thursday.
“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 83-year-old began his career as a stand-up comic at the Hungry i in San Francisco in the 1960s.
