11 things you need to know about Bill Cosby's sex assault trial

Once a beloved comedian whose social activism made him an icon in the African-American community, Bill Cosby’s reputation has been shattered in the last several years by dozens of accusations of rape and sexual assault dating back to the 1960s.

The allegations have created a sharp divide between Cosby’s supporters and critics, many of whom were once fans and now feel duped by the actor’s family-friendly persona and longtime role as a moral compass.

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Cosby, 79, has not been found guilty of any crimes, although many of the accusations date so far back that the stature of limitations has expired on any opportunity to prosecute them.

Here are 11 things you need to know as jury selection begins in Cosby’s trial.

Who is Andrea Constand?

A Canada native and former college basketball player, Constand was the director of operations for Temple’s women’s hoops team in 2004. As a result of that role, she became friendly with Cosby, a graduate of the university and perhaps its most ardent supporter.

What are the allegations?

Constand says that she went to Cosby’s home in suburban Philadelphia one night and Cosby gave her pills to relax. She said she became semi-conscious and had difficulty moving. She said Cosby then began to grope her, and she later woke up to find her clothing scattered around the room. She left Temple several months later and reported the incident a year later to Montgomery County law enforcement. This was the first time Cosby was officially accused of a sex assault crime.

No, he does not face sexual assault charges in any other case. There are numerous civil lawsuits pending, however, from women who say Cosby assaulted them in a manner similar to Constand’s accusations.

[ Why did it take so long to go to trial? ]

Constand’s allegations were “insufficient” for the district attorney to file charges, so the case was dropped. A month later, Constand filed a civil lawsuit that Cosby eventually settled for an undisclosed amount and the records were sealed. In July 2015, Constand asked a court to unseal those records, in which Cosby admitted to giving Quaaludes to women to enhance sexual relations on multiple occasions but said he did not drug them against their will or sexually assault them. The unsealed records prompted a new criminal investigation into Constand’s claims. Three counts of second-degree felony aggravated indecent assault were filed in December 2015, one month before the statute of limitations would expire.

[ Why is jury selection being held in Allegheny County if the trial is taking place in Montgomery County? ]

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What will it be like to serve on the jury?

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What type of jurors will lawyers seek?

How much leeway does each side have to pick jurors?

Will the jurors be identified?

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Steven O'Neill plans to keep the jurors' names private. However, WPXI will be covering the proceedings, reporting on both the nature of the arguments over jury selection and the willingness of people to serve in the high-profile case.

10.

Will jurors hear from Cosby during the trial?

Cosby told an interviewer this past week that he does not expect to testify, given his fear of wading into trouble while trying to be truthful during cross-examination.

11.

If Cosby is found guilty, what penalties does he face?

Cosby can be sentenced to 10 years in prison and a $25,000 fine.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.