Mixed Reaction At Temple Over Bill Cosby Sex Assault Charge
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- There were whispers for months that charges could be filed against Bill Cosby.
For years, many people considered Bill Cosby a household name around the world, a shining example of what can come out of Philadelphia.
But today instead of being celebrated, he was criminally charged.
It happened right here in his hometown and reaction was strong.
He very well may be one of Philadelphia's most famous, but that fame is possibly now turning to infamy after Montgomery County prosecutors announced Wednesday that they're charging the North Philadelphia native for an alleged sexual assault about 12 years ago.
According to the affidavit of probable cause, Cosby met the victim through her work at Temple University, the same place Cosby once attended school and then later served as a board member.
It's a place many associate with the comedian.
"Everybody loves Bill Cosby but where there's smoke there's fire and there's an awful lot of smoke," Joe Pecorn, of Southwest Philadelphia, told Eyewitness News.
"The fact that someone who is so well known and associated with Temple is being held accountable for his actions is a good thing, because it's not something that's seen," said Temple senior Sicily Stump.
"Bill Cosby is very concerned about the black community and I inspire that concern. I think he was very inspirational and much of a role model. This stuff doesn't take anything away, however if he did these things, he should be punished like anybody else," Temple alumnus Stephen Ward said.
Former Philadelphia mayor and Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell admitted Cosby did a lot of good things for the city, but the allegations- if found true- are debilitating.
"No matter how bad this is, it doesn't totally take away from or erase all the good he did and I hope he hears that and this is true. But if these things are proved to be true, it's very sad," Rendell said.
Dozens of women have come forward to accuse the comedian of sexual assault, but for fans like Adrienne Taylor, the news of charges Wednesday was still hard to believe.
"I did hold out hope that they weren't true against bill Cosby to be honest with you, that's my honest opinion about it," Taylor, of Drexel Hill, told Eyewitness News.
Reporter: To now find there's enough evidence to at least move forward with a criminal case, does that change your opinion at all?
"It's disappointing, that's what I can say right now," Taylor replied.
As we've mentioned, Bill Cosby did sit on the Board of Trustees for Temple University, but after growing controversy over these type of allegations, he resigned.
He was replaced by journalist Tamron Hall.
