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Bill Cosby planning town hall tour to warn of sex assault accusations

By Ray Downs
Bill Cosby exits a Pennsylvania courthouse June 17 after the judge declared a mistrial in his sexual assault trial. The comedian is now said to be planning a town hall circuit to talk to young people about the risks of being wrongly accused. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI
Bill Cosby exits a Pennsylvania courthouse June 17 after the judge declared a mistrial in his sexual assault trial. The comedian is now said to be planning a town hall circuit to talk to young people about the risks of being wrongly accused. File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI | License Photo

June 22 (UPI) -- Fresh off a mistrial for sexual assault allegations, comedian Bill Cosby is considering going on tour to talk to young people about how to avoid being accused of sexual assault.

Publicist Andrew Wyatt said Cosby is planning to do a series of town halls this summer to warn young people about the dangers of being accused and how to prevent it from happening.

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"This is bigger than Bill Cosby. This issue can affect any young person, especially young athletes of today," Wyatt said in an interview with WBRC-TV. "And they need to know what they're facing -- when they're hanging out and partying, when they're doing certain things they shouldn't be doing. And it also effects married men."

Ebonee Benson, the spokeswoman for wife Camille Cosby, said the comedian wants to warn young people that "anything" can be considered sexual assault.

"Laws are changing, laws are changing. The statute of limitations for victims of sexual assault are being extended," Benson said. "This is why people need to be educated. A brush across the shoulder, you know, anything at this point, can be considered sexual assault and it's a good thing to be educated about the law."

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Wyatt elaborated on the town hall plans, saying that Cosby was approached by churches and civic organizations who asked him to speak to their groups about corruption in the judicial system.

"They feel that the young men and women need to be aware that Mr. Cosby was given a deal to never be criminally charged by former [Pennsylvania district attorney] Bruce Castor and 12 years later DA Kevin Steele runs a Willie Horton style campaign ad saying, 'If you elect me I will bring Bill Cosby to justice,'" Wyatt said. "These groups would like for Mr. Cosby to share that people in the judicial system can use their powers to annul deals for personal agenda and political ambitions."

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