Featured
Judge in Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case Allows Juror that Said He Thinks Cosby Is Guilty
Judge Steven O’Neill in Bill Cosby Sexual Assault Case Allows Juror No. 11 that Said He Thinks Cosby Is Guilty on Jury Panel.
By Stacy M. Brown (NNPA Newswire Contributor)
NORRISTOWN, Pa.—Any appearance of fair and impartiality that Judge Steven O’Neill may have exhibited is out the window, according to those siding with comedian Bill Cosby in his retrial.
After a weekend to ponder the actions of a juror selected to serve on the case, O’Neill decided Monday afternoon to allow the individual to remain on the panel.
The judge did so without public explanation.
“How can that be? The juror said he had already made up his mind that Cosby was guilty,” said Rhonda Traylor, an African American woman who said she came to court on Monday to counter planned protests against the comedian.
After being selected to serve as juror No. 11 last week, the man who is White and believed to be in his 40s, reportedly told others on the prospective panel that “I just think [Cosby’s] guilty, so we can all be done and get out of here.”
Sporting a dark hair of twists, a pearl necklace and wearing diamond studded earrings, Traylor said she was horrified over a protester who jumped a barrier, stripped off her shirt and bra and ran in front of Cosby.
The protestor was identified as Nicolle Rochelle, 39, of Little Falls, N.J. who was charged with disorderly conduct after sheriff’s deputies wrestled her to the ground and into a nearby bush. She later contacted other protestors who placed her on a speaker phone, so reporters could hear.
“They said they’d drop the charges, if I don’t come back to the courthouse,” Rochelle could be overheard saying. She said also that she had appeared on some episodes of the iconic “Cosby Show” in the early 1990s and noted that Cosby had always been respectful of her, but her outburst was to “show support to the women.”
“This is what it’s come to,” said Traylor, who works in a nearby mail sorting facility. “This isn’t about justice, it’s about demonstrations and putting on a show. And, I believe things are only going to get worse, because more people are beginning to realize that this judge and the prosecutors seem to be working together with the goal of taking Cosby down.”
O’Neill has repeatedly noted the need to be fair and impartial, however the judge’s rulings have often been called into question.
He ruled that five other alleged victims, including former supermodel Janice Dickinson, could testify in the retrial. Last year, he denied prosecutors request to call Dickinson and others.
Other controversial rulings include allowing Cosby’s deposition testimony; the hearsay testimony of Gianna Constand, the mother of alleged victim Andrea Constand; and denying several defense requests like letting the jury know that former District Attorney Bruce Castor declined charges against Cosby, because he said there was insufficient evidence and he questioned Constand’s credibility.
The judge has also denied a defense request to show the jury a 2005 press release from Castor in which the former DA explains his decision not to prosecute Cosby.
Further, O’Neill also declined to allow the defense to tell the jury about dueling lawsuits between Constand and Castor. Ironically, Castor’s lawsuit was dismissed by a judge on Friday, April 6 while Constand’s remain pending.
At the end of Monday, Cosby’s spokesman Andrew Wyatt, told reporters that the defense hopes that the jury can “be fair and impartial.”
Featured
Attend a Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Open House
See the Green Line BRT plans and share your feedback at an upcoming open house! Explore the proposed route and station designs.
See the plans. Ask questions. Share your feedback.
Attend a Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Open House session to explore the approved proposed route and get a first look at preliminary station designs.
📍 October 19: RUNG for Women | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
📍 October 22: Polish Heritage Center | 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
💻 October 26: Virtual Open House (registration required)
Featured
HBCU Homecoming: A never-miss annual tradition
HBCU homecomings are more than just football games; they’re a vital annual tradition. Experience the unforgettable energy and community spirit!
Visit Our Website
Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter
Donate/ Support Our Work
Bakersfield News Observer
News Observer Weekly — October 14, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
L.A. County’s homelessness crisis escalates. This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia tackle the top 5 stories impacting your community.
Seventy-three thousand people in Los Angeles County slept without a home last night. Maxine Waters’ number for fixing that is one trillion dollars. And Karen Bass’s number is control. She wants the city, not the county, deciding where L.A.’s housing money goes.
This week on News Observer Weekly, Marcus and Nia break down the five stories that mattered most to our readers — from Observer Group Newspapers, publishers of the Bakersfield News Observer, the Los Angeles News Observer and Valley’s News Observer, serving Kern County, Los Angeles, and the San Fernando and Antelope valleys.
ONE THING THIS WEEK
Monday, Oct. 19 is the last day to register to vote the regular way in Kern
County. Check your registration or register in two minutes at
registertovote.ca.gov. Miss it? Same-day registration is available in person
through Election Day, Nov. 3. Ballot already on the kitchen table? Sign and
date the envelope and drop it in one of Kern County’s 20 drop boxes, open 24
hours until 8 p.m. on Nov. 3. Lost ballot? Call and they’ll replace it.
Kern County Elections: 661-868-3590.
CHAPTERS
0:00 Cold open
0:40 Housing: Maxine Waters Calls for $1 Trillion Federal Housing Investment
3:03 Los Angeles: Mayor Bass Seeks Greater Control Over Homelessness Response as Black Press Raises Affordability Concerns
5:23 Kern County: Valadao vs. Villegas: Where the Candidates Stand on Health Care, Water, Immigration and the Economy
7:55 Sacramento: As Gov. Newsom’s Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences
10:59 Bakersfield: Voting Is Sacred: Faith Leaders, Registrar Urge Kern County Residents to Make Their Voices Heard
13:23 What to do this week
THE FULL STORIES
Maxine Waters Calls for $1 Trillion Federal Housing Investment
Maxine Waters Calls for $1 Trillion Federal Housing Investment
2. Mayor Bass Seeks Greater Control Over Homelessness Response as Black Press Raises Affordability Concerns
3. Valadao vs. Villegas: Where the Candidates Stand on Health Care, Water, Immigration and the Economy
U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES: CALIFORNIA’S 22ND CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT
4. As Gov. Newsom’s Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences
As Gov. Newsom’s Term Nears End, Advocacy Groups Urge Him to Commute Life Sentences
5. Voting Is Sacred: Faith Leaders, Registrar Urge Kern County Residents to Make Their Voices Heard
Voting Is Sacred: Faith Leaders, Registrar Urge Kern County Residents to Make Their Voices Heard
Read everything at ognsc.com
Subscribe for the top five, every week.
#BlackPress #Bakersfield #LosAngeles #SanFernandoValley #AntelopeValley #BlackNews
Featured
Coach Tremaine Jackson Urgent Mindset- ‘Fourth and One’
Prairie View A&M coach Tremaine Jackson feels it’s been “fourth and one” every day since 2023. He explains their recent struggles and looks ahead to Homecoming.
Defending SWAC champion Prairie View A&M is 2-5 after back-to-back losses to Mississippi Valley State (28-27) and Southern (28-14). On the Week 7 SWAC media call, head coach Tremaine Jackson explains why it’s been “fourth and one” for him every day since 2023.
Up next: Prairie View hosts Alcorn State for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 17.
#PrairieView #PVAMU #SWAC #HBCUFootball #TremaineJackson
Visit Our Website
Read more stories by our team
https://defendernetwork.com/category/news/opinion/
Sign-up for the Top 5 newsletter
Donate/ Support Our Work
Featured
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1!
MJ’s Super Bowl return, Druski’s SNL rumors, and gas prices hit 97 cents! Plus, T-Boz’s health and a $14M Jordan jersey sale. Tune in!
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1!
Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance is getting the documentary treatment, Druski is reportedly headed to Saturday Night Live, and a Georgia gas station price war sends prices tumbling to just 97 cents a gallon!
Plus, Chilli speaks out as T-Boz recovers from a sickle cell crisis, NYC moves to end horse-drawn carriage rides, and a Michael Jordan jersey reportedly sells for $14 million.
Join us on Black Press USA’s Morning Show as we break down the headlines, the culture, and the conversations making news.
Watch Monday through Friday, 8–9 AM ET.
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #MichaelJackson #Druski #TLC #MichaelJordan
Featured
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1! 📱
Michael Jackson’s Super Bowl return, Druski to SNL, and gas under $1! Plus, a Michael Jordan jersey sale and TLC updates on Black Press USA’s Morning Show.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZCznKoGDjnY
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1!
Michael Jackson’s legendary 1993 Super Bowl halftime performance is getting the documentary treatment, Druski is reportedly headed to Saturday Night Live, and a Georgia gas station price war sends prices tumbling to just 97 cents a gallon!
Plus, Chilli speaks out as T-Boz recovers from a sickle cell crisis, NYC moves to end horse-drawn carriage rides, and a Michael Jordan jersey reportedly sells for $14 million.
Join us on Black Press USA’s Morning Show as we break down the headlines, the culture, and the conversations making news.
Watch Monday through Friday, 8–9 AM ET.
#BlackPressUSA #MorningShow #BlackNews #MichaelJackson #Druski #TLC #MichaelJordan
Attend a Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Open House
VIN Check: Avoid Truck Recalls Before Buying! #shorts
Defender Parking Camera & Screen Features Explained #shorts
Find Black-Owned Banks & Credit Unions Easily #shorts
HBCU Homecoming: A never-miss annual tradition
News Observer Weekly — October 14, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Coach Tremaine Jackson Urgent Mindset- ‘Fourth and One’
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1!
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1! 📱
Secure growth by funding business expansion without taking on bad debt
The Youngest American Killed in the Vietnam War
Passing for White, Fighting for Black America: The Courage of Walter White
OP-ED: Haiti TPS: Have We Lost Sense of Humanity?
OP-ED: How Does Your State Rank for Pre-K?
NFL: Week Two Recap | Jalen Hurts did not fold; Caleb Williams exits game with injury
Remembering Chauncey Bailey as Student Journalists Face Threats to Truth-Telling
Headlines and Hot Topics 📱
NEWSOM, KAMALA & 2028: THE POLITICAL CALCULUS BEGINS 📱
Obama Urges Democrats to make AI a Priority 📱
Peter Magubane: a Camera Against Apartheid
Attend a Green Line Bus Rapid Transit Open House
VIN Check: Avoid Truck Recalls Before Buying! #shorts
Defender Parking Camera & Screen Features Explained #shorts
Find Black-Owned Banks & Credit Unions Easily #shorts
HBCU Homecoming: A never-miss annual tradition
News Observer Weekly — October 14, 2026 | Top 5 Stories of the Week
Coach Tremaine Jackson Urgent Mindset- ‘Fourth and One’
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1!
Michael Jackson Returns to the Super Bowl Spotlight, Druski Heads to SNL, and Gas Drops Below $1! 📱
Sunset Loft – The Crystal
-
Black Press1 week agoA $2.1 Trillion Wellness Industry Never Built a Daily Practice for Black Children. So This Atlanta Family Did.
-
BlackPressUSA7 days agoLatinas Deserve Equal Pay. Unions Help Make It Happen.
-
Art1 week agoMontclair Brewery: Brewing Culture, Community, History
-
Black Press2 days agoAll Skinfolk Ain’t Kinfolk
-
Black Press1 week agoCOMMENTARY: But God!
-
Black Press1 week agoSafety Concerns at Southern University
