Bill Cosby's Co-Star Keshia Knight Pulliam Says Comedian Is in 'Good Spirits' and 'Upbeat' as He Awaits Jury's

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After escorting Bill Cosby to the first day of his criminal trial in Norristown, Pennsylvania, last week, Keshia Knight Pulliam has been keeping in touch with her former onscreen father, and offered an update as to his state of mind while he awaits a jury to decide whether he's guilty of sexual assault.

The 79-year-old comedian is charged with three counts of aggravated indecent assault -- each punishable by 10 years in prison -- for allegedly drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand in January 2004 at his mansion in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and has repeatedly denied similar claims from numerous other women.


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"I can't speak to this exact moment, but my interactions with him, he's been in good spirits," Pulliam -- who portrayed Rudy Huxtable on The Cosby Show from 1984 to 1992 -- told the Today show on Tuesday. "He's been upbeat."

"Knowing Mr. Cosby is to know that he's a comedian and there's always that kind of sense of laughter," she added. "I was grateful to see that his spirit hadn't been broken as a result of this process, because it's arduous. There's nothing good about it for either side. It's just not a good situation."

Pulliam also explained why she felt it important to stand by Cosby on his first day of court. "At the end of the day, I truly believe you’re innocent until proven guilty," she said. "That's just not the man that I ever experienced."


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"It's easy to be there for someone when things are good, when business is good, when money is good," Pulliam continued. "I wanted to do what I would have wanted to receive."

When asked if her opinion will change of Cosby if he is found guilty, Pulliam replied, "I'm just going to have to cross that bridge when I come to it. I'll be disappointed, however, it won't change the love."

Referring to Cosby as "family," the 38-year-old actress added, "People falter, people make mistakes, things happen. But in no way is that condoning sexual assault."


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Last week, Pulliam gave a similar statement to ET, again making it clear that she doesn't "condone or support sexual assault."

"As a woman, mother, Spelman College Graduate and champion of empowering girls thru my non-profit Kamp Kizzy, I in no way condone or support sexual assault," she said in her statement. "At the same time, I believe you are innocent until proven guilty. This is one of our fundamental rights under our Constitution. There is a difference between opinions and facts."


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