Kanye West Tweet Saying Bill Cosby Is Innocent Draws Strong Rebuke From Gloria Allred
LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — A tweet Tuesday by Kanye West raised eyebrows and ire around the Internet.
West tweeted simply, "BILL COSBY INNOCENT !!!!!!!!!!"
The rapper, businessman, Kardashian spouse and lightning rod for publicity and controversy gave no explanation for the remark. He posted it to his official Twitter account around 3:25 p.m.
More than 50 women have come forward to accuse the 78-year-old comedian of sexual improprieties dating back to the early 70s.
Attorney Gloria Allred, who represents several women who have accused the comedian of sexual assault, rape, molestation, was quick to reply to West.
"Kanye West has a lot of nerve to have tweeted "Bill Cosby innocent!", she wrote in a statement. "I doubt that he has spoken to Andrea Constand, the alleged victim in the criminal case in which Mr. Cosby is charged with aggravated indecent sexual assault or that he has detailed knowledge of the evidence that the prosecutor may have."
She added, "This is a serious criminal case and guilt or innocence should be for the jury to decide, not Kanye West. Mr. Cosby's innocence or guilt should be determined in a court of law after a trial and will not be decided by a tweet.