Twitter reacts to Bill Cosby's overturned conviction

Janet Hubert, who played Aunt Viv in the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, is among the many well-known figures that have reacted to the news of Bill Cosby's release from prison on social media.

The actress criticised Phylicia Rashad for voicing her support for Cosby after his release caused widespread shock on Twitter.

"Phylicia what are you thinking!" Hubert tweeted. "I don't know you but to say this was terribly wrong. Everyone knew what he was doing back then. How could you not!"

Phylicia, who played Cosby's wife, Claire, on The Cosby Show, in a now-deleted tweet, said, "Finally! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!”

Phylicia what are you thinking!!! I don't know you but to say this was terribly wrong. EVERYONE knew what he was doing back then. How could you NOT! Get your umbrella sista here comes the shit shower. I am outraged that he has been released. Yes he is an old ass guilty man! pic.twitter.com/9mHtuEYLgk

— Janet Hubert (@OGJanetHubert) June 30, 2021

After receiving further backlash for her prior tweet, Rashad apologised, saying, "I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward."

"My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing."

I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.

— Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) June 30, 2021

Among others reacting to the Cosby news, best-selling author and social commentator Roxane Gay announced her dismay at his release.

It is total bullshit that Bill Cosby is being released.

— roxane gay (@rgay) June 30, 2021

Many pointed out the frustrating news of a judge denied Britney Spears' request to have her father removed from her 13-year controversial conservatorship yesterday, while Cosby only served two years in prison.

Cosby was accused of sexual assault by over 60 women. Upon appeal, a Pennsylvania Court found that Cosby could not be charged in this case due to a prior agreement with a previous prosecutor. Judges also said that testimony from other accusers not related to the case at hand tainted the trial. However, a lower appeals court had earlier deemed it appropriate to establish a pattern of him drugging and molesting women.

Justice David Wecht said that overturning the conviction as well as barring further prosecution "is the only remedy that comports with society’s reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system".

If you've been affected by sexual assault or violence against women you can contact Women's Aid at 1800 341 900 or The Dublin Rape Crisis Centre at 1 800 77 8888.