Cosby Finally Ordered to Stand Trial for Assault Charges

Bill Cosby, who in the past year has been accused of sexually assaulting more than 50 women (some repeatedly), is at last being ordered to go to trial on three charges of sexual assault. Andrea Constand, a former basketball coach at Temple University, where Cosby attended college, explains that Cosby sedated her and penetrated her in his home while she remained "paralyzed."

New York Magazinepublished a feature story last July featuring 35 of Cosby's accusers, who due to the statute of limitations, have been unable to present any criminal charges against the celebrity. Constand's case is the first against Cosby that will actually go to trial.

Attorney Kevin Steele, who is representing Constand in the case, filed the charges in December, telling reporters, "We are here to serve justice." Judge Elizabeth McHugh ruled that the case would proceed on Tuesday.

Cosby's camp continues to deny the validity of the claims, stating that the sexual encounter was indeed consensual. According to Variety, however, Steele believes the preliminary hearing revealed Cosby's "admission to much of the crime."