Chief Cosby Accuser Thanks Prosecutors After Judge Declares Mistrial In Sex Assault Case

NORRISTOWN, Pa (CBSNewYork/AP) -- Bill Cosby's chief accuser thanked prosecutors for taking her case after a jury failed to agree on a verdict Saturday.

Lawyers for Andrea Constand issued a statement on her behalf. It says the trial has "given a voice to the many victims who felt powerless and silenced."

Constand accused the 79-year-old entertainer of drugging and molesting her at his Philadelphia-area home in 2004.

The judge declared a mistrial after jurors deadlocked on the charges after six days.

Prosecutors in Bill Cosby's sexual assault case are praising the accuser and say she's "entitled to a verdict in this case."

District Attorney Kevin Steele spoke to reporters after the judge's ruling Saturday.

Steele said he's disappointed the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision, and added he'll retry Cosby, who maintains the encounter with Constand was consensual.

Steele declined comment on a statement from Cosby's wife, Camille, which called him "heinously and exploitively ambitious."

A jury deliberated for more than 52 hours over six days before declaring itself hopelessly deadlocked.

Constand did not appear at the news conference.

Cosby will remain free on $1 million bail.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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