Cosby Defense Blocked From Using Deposition

Associated Press
April 23, 2018

https://apnews.com/0e52252f790c4086993c5a66dd2a6d51/The-Latest:-Cosby-defense-blocked-from-using-deposition

NORRISTOWN, Pa. (AP) — The Latest on Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial (all times local):

9:15 a.m.

The judge in Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial won't allow his lawyers to introduce testimony they say would shed light on the possible motivation of the comedian's chief accuser.

The defense wanted jurors to hear deposition testimony from Andrea Constand's friend, Sheri Williams. Cosby's lawyers said Williams hasn't responded to subpoenas. They wanted Williams' testimony to rebut Constand's claims that she was unaware Cosby was romantically interested in her. They said Williams would show Constand "could not have been the unwitting victim" prosecutors have portrayed.

Judge Steven O'Neill rejected the defense request Monday as the trial entered its third week.

Cosby is charged with drugging and molesting Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. He says it was consensual.

The Associated Press doesn't typically identify people who say they're victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.

___

8:40 a.m.

Bill Cosby has arrived for the 11th day of his sexual assault retrial.

The 80-year-old comedian entered the suburban Philadelphia courthouse Monday morning with his spokesman, Andrew Wyatt.

Cosby's lawyers are hitting at accuser Andrea Constand's credibility.

The judge is expected to rule Monday on whether jurors can hear deposition testimony that Cosby's lawyers say could have insights into what led Constand to accuse him.

Cosby's lawyers are expected to call an agent and an aviation consultant to the witness stand as they make the case he never visited his suburban Philadelphia mansion in January 2004, the month Constand says he molested her.

The Associated Press doesn't typically identify people who say they're victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.

___

12:05 a.m.

Bill Cosby's lawyers and publicists are increasingly playing to the court of public opinion as his sexual assault retrial heads toward deliberations.

They're hitting at accuser Andrea Constand's credibility and holding daily press briefings portraying Cosby as the victim of an overzealous prosecutor and an unjust legal system.

The judge is expected to rule Monday on whether jurors can hear deposition testimony that Cosby's lawyers say could have insights into what led Constand to accuse him.

Cosby's lawyers are expected to call an agent and an aviation consultant to the witness stand as they make the case he never visited his suburban Philadelphia mansion in January 2004, the month Constand says he molested her.

The Associated Press doesn't typically identify people who say they're victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.