As the Pennsylvania Supreme Court weighs Bill Cosby’s appeal of his conviction, RAINN and its pro bono legal partners at Hogan Lovells US LLP, have filed an amicus brief arguing to uphold the verdict.

The brief argues the Superior Court correctly upheld the admission of testimony by five other women at Cosby’s retrial. Cosby argues the testimony admission of five survivors was improper, violating Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence. “Cosby is wrong,” says Scott Berkowitz, president of RAINN. As the RAINN brief argues, Pennsylvania Rules of Evidence allow for the admission of prior bad actions where the manner and circumstances of the prior act and the charged offense are similar.

“The similarities in Cosby’s crimes are no coincidence. Cosby has shown a clear and consistent pattern of predatory behavior,” said Berkowitz. “We support the court’s decision to allow testimony from other victims of Cosby to demonstrate his pattern of behavior.”

Joining RAINN on the brief are Legal Momentum,the Women's Legal Defense and Education Fund; the National Crime Victim Law Institute (NCVLI), the Pennsylvania Office of Victim Advocate, the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, the Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, and Women Lawyers On Guard.

“RAINN is especially grateful for the hard work and dedication that Hogan Lovells, and District Attorney for Montgomery County, PA, Kevin Steele, have shown in protecting victims from sexual violence,” said Camille Cooper, vice president of public policy at RAINN.