Bill Cosby supporters clash with anti-rape protesters outside comedian's mansion hours after Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned his conviction
Bill Cosby supporters have clashed with an anti-rape campaigner outside the freed comedian's house - as others took to the internet to say they're glad he's out of jail.
A man and a woman were seen squaring up to an anti-Crosby activist outside his home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday after he was freed.
The female protester - who was toting a megaphone - chanted 'Change the law' and 'This is about rape.'
But the male supporter - who was carrying a placard saying 'Bill Cosby is innocent' - took exception to her claims, and repeated the slogan on his placard saying: 'Bill Cosby is innocent.'
He continued chanting his counter-protest, with the female Cosby supporter - who held up a sign saying 'Don't mess with Bill' seen telling the megaphone-bearing woman to 'Go home.'
Bill Cosby supporters turned up to welcome him back to his mansion in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, on Wednesday after his indecent assault conviction was overturned
Supporters held up signs, with the woman in the brown headband later filmed clashing with an anti-Cosby protester
This woman was filmed arguing with two Cosby supporters, after yelling 'This is about rape' over a megaphone
A protester of the 'Philly We Support the Survivors of Bill Cosby' Facebook group spoke outside the Cosby residence in Elkins Park Township
Others took to Twitter to share their delight at Cosby's release
Cosby is pictured returning to his home after three years in jail
Another supporter, who did not get involved in the argument, held up a sign saying: 'Welcome home Mr Cosby.'
The confrontation was shared by NBC 10 reporter Aaron Baskerville, and it was unclear how it ended up being resolved.
One of his elderly neighbours Patricia Griffin showed up to Cosby's house with flowers and strawberry cake after his return home, according to Sky News.
She said: 'I don't know the rights and wrongs of it but I do know he's 83 and he's coming home after three years with a lot of shame attached to him.'
Meanwhile, other Cosby fans took to Twitter to hail the decision to axe the 83 year-old comedian's 2018 conviction for sexual assault, which saw him freed on Wednesday after three years behind bars.
One man tweeted: '@BillCosby I always love and support you. I have always known that a day like this will come. You are an inspiration, to those who know the true story. I love you Bill, You will win them all.'
Another said: 'I always prayed that one day you would prevail. You are Strong and a Fearless Champion never giving up and fighting for your innocence. Today the Justice system got it right!! Stay Strong! Keep fighting. I support you!'
A third penned: 'Very happy moment hearing the great news for you @BillCosby… I stated before in tweets my support for you and how I still idolize your talent.'
And a fourth wrote: 'Good job Mr. Cosby, we are with you in full support.'
Supporters of Bill Cosby held up signs reading 'welcome home Mr Bill Cosby' and 'Don't mess with Bill' as they stood outside his home in Elkins Park Township
Cosby fans took to Twitter to hail the decision to axe the 83 year-old comedian's 2018 conviction for sexual assault, which saw him freed on Wednesday after three years
Protesters and fans yelling at each other outside Bill Cosby’s home tonight. What Cosby had to say about his sudden release on @NBCPhiladelphia at 11pm pic.twitter.com/xeUEBFsTlH
— Aaron Baskerville (@ABaskerville10) July 1, 2021
Protesters and fans yelling at each other outside Bill Cosby’s home tonight. What Cosby had to say about his sudden release on @NBCPhiladelphia at 11pm pic.twitter.com/xeUEBFsTlH
A fifth simply commented: 'I support you Mr Cosby.'
Brent Harte tweeted a snap of the star and wrote: 'Bill Cosby found innocent on ALL CHARGES!! He is a free man.'
A Facebook group supporting the actor, called I Support Bill Cosby, also saw many people commenting to praise his release from prison after three years.
One person commented: 'Great news, Bill Cosby to be released from prison, conviction overturned for sexual assault.
'Congratulations Bill now to get on with your life.'
One man, called Tyrone Stallworth Sr, posted: 'Today is a good day! Bill Cosby is FREE!'
And Betty Collier wrote: 'A good verdict for Bill Cosby, I hope now this man can live in peace'
Another supporter said: 'BILL IS FREE TODAY!'
Cosby was freed after Pennsylvania's Supreme Court said his conviction breached a 2005 promise by former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor not to charge him.
Castor - who represented Donald Trump at his second impeachment trial in January - believed accuser Andrea Constand's allegations of being drugged and raped by Cosby were not strong enough to merit criminal charges.
He helped her mount a civil case against Cosby, which saw the comedian agree to sit for interviews under oath after Castor promised he would not be charged over anything he said.
After Castor left his office, his successor Kevin Steele used the material gleaned from those chats to launch a criminal investigation into Cosby.
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court ruled that Castor's promise to Cosby - a signed press release on headed paper - did stand, and that he should never have been tried over Constand's claims.