Bill Cosby loses appeal of his sexual assault conviction

Bill Cosby's appeal of his sexual assault conviction has just been rejected.

The Pennsylvania Superior Court on Tuesday rejected Cosby's appeal to overturn his conviction, The Associated Press reports. Multiple arguments from Cosby's lawyers were rejected, including their objection to the judge allowing five women to testify during his retrial when only one testified in the first trial. The Superior Court found this was permissible for establishing a pattern of behavior.

Cosby, who has been accused of sexual misconduct by dozens of women, was sentenced in 2018 to three to 10 years in prison on charges of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand at his home in 2004. He can now appeal to the state Supreme Court, and his spokesperson in a statement Tuesday said he plans to do so.

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"We're not shocked because it shows the world that this isn't about justice, but this is a political scheme to destroy America's Dad, however they will not stop us and we will prevail in the State Supreme Court," Cosby's spokesperson said, adding that Cosby "remains hopeful and he stands behind his innocence."

Constand on Tuesday told AP, "This decision is a reminder that no one is above the law."