BILL COSBY TRIAL: One-third of potential jurors in Bill Cosby trial say they have already formed opinion on case

One-third of potential jurors in Bill Cosby's trial for the sexual assault of a Temple University staffer said Monday they'd already formed opinions about the disgraced funnyman's guilt or innocence.

The first day of jury selection in Pittsburgh also revealed that 35 out of the 100 people questioned said they or someone close to them had been the victim of sexual assault.

Questioning of jurors continued into the afternoon amid efforts to ensure Cosby's celebrity status did not affect the trial.

"No one should make an effort to be on this jury, and no one should make an effort to not be on this jury," Judge Steven T. O'Neill told the group.

Two men and one woman had been picked as jurors by 3:45 p.m.

Lawyers expect it will take at least a week to select a dozen jurors and six alternates .

The jurors will be sequestered for the duration of the trial starting June 5 in suburban Philadelphia, about 300 miles away. 

Cosby emerged from an SUV at the Allegheny County Courthouse just before 8 a.m. wearing sunglasses and a tan sport coat. He held the arm of an assistant with one hand and a cane in the other.

“He’s holding up fine, he’s looking forward to it ... and we’re looking forward to getting a trial,” said defense lawyer Brian McMonagle. “We look forward to getting it done as soon as possible, and starting this trial.”

Cosby, 79, is accused of luring ex-Temple staffer Andrea Constand, 44, to his Elkins Park, Pa., mansion in 2004 under the guise of giving her career advice.

Prosecutors say Cosby gave her three blue pills and wine to help her “relax.” He then sexually assaulted Constand on a couch as her vision blurred, her legs turned “rubbery” and she began fading “in and out,” according to prosecutors.

Cosby has pleaded not guilty to three charges of aggravated indecent assault, claiming any sexual contact or drug consumption was consensual. Each charge carries up to 10 years in prison.

An expert said Cosby’s celebrity status changed the dynamics of jury selection. Typically, potential jurors seek excuses to get out of service. But with Cosby, people may want to get on the jury.

“You want to see if they’re a celebrity-conscious person — if they read celebrity stuff, if they worship celebrity,” trial consultant Howard Varinsky said. “Prosecutors have to be very worried about fans.”

Constand is expected to take the stand, as well as a second woman who says she was sexually assaulted by Cosby in similar fashion.

Over 50 other women who have accused Cosby of assault will not testify.

“I’m hoping — and praying — he’s found guilty, as he should be,” Beth Ferrier, one of Cosby’s many accusers not involved in the court proceeding, told the Daily News last week. “I hold him accountable for destroying so many lives.”

Cosby said in a radio interview last week he will not testify in his own defense. He suggested racism and revenge motivated the “nefarious” allegations against him.

With News Wire Services