Flanked by reporters in a jam-packed office in Los Angeles, three women told three different stories about Bill Cosby on Wednesday, but each had an all-too-familiar ring: that Cosby sexually assaulted them, decades ago, using drugs and alcohol.
Beth Ferrier, Helen Hayes and a third woman named Chelan cried and spoke in detail at the Wednesday press conference organized by Gloria Allred, who famously takes on high-profile cases with splashy press conferences. In this case, she proposed that the 77-year-old comedian waive the statute of limitations.
Allred held up a typed proposal for the media to relay to Cosby and his lawyers:
Proposed Bill Cosby Waiver of the Statute of Limitations: I, Bill Cosby, hereby agree to waive the Statute of Limitations defense for six months so that anyone who feels that they have a claim against me for sexual misconduct will have six months from December 4, 2014 to file a lawsuit. Bill Cosby
Cosby has largely refused to talk about the growing number of sexual assault allegations against him. But he defended his silence last month in Florida, saying, "I know people are tired of me not saying anything, but a guy doesn't have to answer to innuendos." Meanwhile, Cosby's attorney Martin Singer has shot down every claim.
Wednesday's press conference comes on the heels of Cosby resigning from Temple University's Board of Trustees and just one day after Judy Huth filed a sexual battery lawsuit against him for an incident when she was 15 at the Playboy Mansion.
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At Allred's event, which several L.A.-based reporters live-tweeted, two of the women relived their alleged experiences for the first time, while one had already been involved in the 2005 Andrea Constand lawsuit as a Jane Doe but is prepared to testify again.
The three #BillCosby accusers are starting to speak. Beth Ferrier is first. pic.twitter.com/tQsR85lxiF— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
"I want Mr. Cosby to face justice for what he's done to me and so many other women," said the first alleged victim to speak at press conf.— McKenna Keil (@mckenna_keil) December 3, 2014
Ferrier says she and #BillCosby had an affair in the mid-'80s. Alleges Cosby drugged her; when she woke up her "clothes were a mess."— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
Second accuser, Helen Hayes, says #BillCosby followed her and friends around for a day in 1973; they avoided him. He then found them, and...— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
... "grabbed my right breast. I was stunned and angry... His behavior was like that of a predator." #BillCosby— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
3rd alleged victim said she was assaulted by Bill Cosby in Las Vegas when she was 17. @atvn pic.twitter.com/GeiiQAH5wz— McKenna Keil (@mckenna_keil) December 3, 2014
The third accuser Chelan (just one name?) is speaking now. She was 17 years old in 1986, and working at the LV Hilton. He gave her Ameretto.— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
Chelan alleges: "He laid down next to me on the bed and began pinching my left nipple and humping my leg while he was grunting."— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
Chelan alleges she woke up: "'Daddy says wake up.' He gave me $1500." He invited her to see the Temptations, and to his show.— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
"I think they were thankful they had the opportunity to share their stories," Gloria Allred on the alleged victims. pic.twitter.com/lSLa6r2LJU— McKenna Keil (@mckenna_keil) December 3, 2014
The Gloria Allred #BillCosby press conference is over. Just took the worst, blurriest photo ever. (In summary: The women left in tears.)— Kate Aurthur (@KateAurthur) December 3, 2014
Additional reporting by The Associated Press
BONUS: Bill Cosby Won't Comment on Rape Allegations