Cosby Allegation: 1972 Incapacitation Claim by Donna Motsinger

A civil trial began this month in Los Angeles Superior Court concerning allegations that Bill Cosby sexually assaulted a woman in 1972, adding to a series of recent legal challenges for the 88-year-old comedian. Donna Motsinger, now 84, alleges that Cosby drugged and assaulted her after a performance near San Francisco.

Motsinger claims she met Cosby at The Trident restaurant in Sausalito, California, where he was a frequent patron, according to a lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court in September 2023. She alleges that Cosby invited her to a show at the Circle Star Theater in San Carlos, and provided her with wine in a limousine en route. The suit further alleges that Cosby gave her a pill, claiming it was an aspirin, at the theater, after which she lost consciousness. Motsinger states she awoke at her home wearing only her underwear.

Cosby denies the allegations, maintaining that any sexual encounters were consensual. He will not be appearing in court for the proceedings. However, five other women have been permitted to testify, with the aim of demonstrating a pattern of similar behavior by Cosby, according to court documents. Among those expected to testify is Andrea Constand, whose prior criminal case against Cosby resulted in a conviction that was later overturned.

The case is being pursued under California’s “look-back” law, which temporarily lifted statutes of limitations on older sexual assault claims. This law has allowed numerous previously time-barred cases to be revived, prompting a wave of civil suits against prominent figures. The trial began on March 12, 2026, and is taking place in Los Angeles Superior Court.

In a deposition, Cosby admitted he desired a sexual encounter with Motsinger, but stated he could not recall whether it occurred. Motsinger alleges that after losing consciousness, she was placed in a limousine with Cosby and two other men. The details of the alleged assault are central to Motsinger’s claim of sexual battery.

This civil trial represents another legal challenge for Cosby following the overturning of his 2018 criminal conviction. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction, citing due process violations related to a prior agreement with a former prosecutor. The current civil case offers Motsinger and the other accusers another avenue to seek accountability.