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Colorado Cosby accuser shocked he'll stand trial

Posted at 10:35 PM, May 24, 2016
and last updated 2016-05-25 00:46:20-04

Comedian and actor Bill Cosby will stand trial on assault charges, a judge decided there is enough evidence to move forward. The ruling came as a shock to Colorado resident, Heidi Thomas, who says she was sexually assaulted by Cosby when she was 24.

"He knows, somewhere in his heart of hearts, he knows right from wrong and he needs to be held accountable," said Thomas.

Thomas told Denver7 she never thought the case against Cosby would go to trial and called it "surreal."

The trial comes more than a decade after the famous actor was first accused of sexual misconduct. The case heading to trial involves accusations by Andrea Constand, the first of more than 50 women to go public with the allegations.

“And today I think is a case for probably the 50-plus women who have come forward and gone public with this," said Thomas.

If convicted, Cosby could face up to 30 years in prison.

"Justice needs to be done here, he needs to see the inside of the courtroom and maybe the inside of a prison," said Thomas.

Thomas knows she won't have her day in court because her case does not fall within the statute of limitations. She has made a public push to change the laws in Colorado, along with fellow Cosby accuser Beth Ferrier.

A bill passed by the Colorado legislature would double the statute of limitations for rape. The bill is still awaiting the governor's signature.

"Part of me is a little skeptical, I’ll believe it when I see it. Are they going to find him guilty, is he going to serve any time? Obviously I don’t know and I’m still in a state of shock that we’re actually at this point," said Thomas.