WOMEN in Kitchener, Canada, protesting against Bill Cosby in 2015 (WIkipedia).

Comedian-actor Bill Cosby, convicted in 2018 on several counts of sexual assault and sentenced to three-to-10 years in state prison, was set free Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.

The vote was four to three to release Cosby, 83, from prison on the grounds that a verbal agreement with a previous district attorney not to prosecute barred him from being charged.

According to the Associated Press, Cosby flashed a “V-for-victory sign as re-entered his home in a Philadelphia suburb.

“What we saw today was justice, justice for all Americans,” said Andrew Wyatt, one of several attorneys for Cosby.

“I have never changed my stance nor story,” tweeted Cosby. “I have always maintained my innocence.”

BILL COSBY in 2011 (Wikipedia).

“My stomach is churning,” said Victoria Valentino, one of Cosby’s accusers, reported The New York Times, adding that she was “deeply distressed by “the injustice of the whole thing.”

Cosby had long been regarded as one of America’s most likable and wholesome entertainment celebrities. His character in “The Cosby Show” won him the nickname of “America’s Dad.” But in 2015 charges began to surface that Cosby allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted women, some of which took financial settlements. A total of 60 women would eventually come forth to press allegations.

As a result of the court ruling Cosby cannot be tried again.

College athletes may earn money for fame

The way has been cleared for college student-athletes to receive compensation for the use of their likenesses, names and images as the NCAA Board of Directors yielded to the impact of laws passed in 10 states – effective Thursday – to ban restrictions on such financial benefits.

“This is an important day for college athletes,” said NCAA President Mark Emmert.

The decision does not mean that college athletes will receive wages or salaries. The chief beneficiary likely will be high-profile athletes in the most popular sports such as football and basketball.

Colleges raise millions of dollars by publicizing such stars, pulling in ticket sales money and lucrative TV and radio contracts. Premier athletes will now be able to sign sponsorship deals, get paid to make product endorsements, etc., all without losing their “amateur” status.

Also: Rumsfeld dead at 88; House will investigate Jan. 6

• Donald Rumsfeld, who served as Secretary of Defense twice and presided over the unpopular 2001 Iraqi war, has died at the age of 88.
• A new investigation into the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol was approved by the House of Representatives Wednesday on a 222-190 vote. All House Democrats and two Republicans voted in favor.