After decades of lawsuits, investigations, close-calls and legal fireworks, American Television superstar, Bill Cosby could be headed for prison for the rest of his life after a 12-member jury found him guilty of aggravated sexual assault.

The 80-year-old comedian was convicted on Thursday of drugging and sexually molesting 45-year-old Temple University basketball administrator, Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion in January 2004.

Constand had alleged that Cosby knocked her out with three blue pills he called ‘Your Friends’ and afterwards penetrated her with his fingers as she lay immobilized, unable to resist but Cosby claimed the encounter was consensual, claiming that he gave her the cold and allergy medicine, Benadryl to relax.

The verdict is believed to have vindicated a multiple of other women who had doubted that anyone would ever believe their word against that of Cosby, popularly called “America’s Dad.”

Lili Bernard, who had alleged that Cosby sexually assaulted her before giving her a one-time role on ‘The Cosby Show’ in 1992, became so emotional in the courtroom gallery that she accidentally banged her forehead on the bench in front of her.

“I’m overcome with gratitude. I feel like I have to pinch myself. Am I awake? It’s a miracle,” an emotional and elated Bernard told journalists outside the court.

Thursday’s verdict also sealed the spectacular late-in-life downfall of an iconic entertainer who broke racial barriers in Hollywood on his way to TV superstardom as a sweater-wearing , wisdom-dispensing ‘Dr. Cliff Huxtable’ in the comedy series.

Cosby stared straight ahead as the verdict was reeled out but lashed out at District Attorney Kenin Steele moments later when he demanded that he be immediately sent straight to jail.

Steele had told the Judge that his team had learned, in the process of the trial that Cosby has an airplane and he feared that he could flee. Cosby angrily denied this insinuation.

Cosby was convicted of three counts of aggravated indecent assault, each carrying a standard sentence of five to 10 years in jail. The counts are however likely to be merged for sentencing purposes but given Cosby’s age, even a modest term could see him spending the rest of his life behind bars.

Although Cosby’s lawyer, Tom Mesereau says the ‘fight is not over, as according to him, the conviction would be appealed, ssentencing on the case will likely be held within three months.