Cosby's
lawyers say prosecutors relying on accuser 'bandwagon'
Send a link to a friend
[December 15, 2016]
By Joseph Ax
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (Reuters) -
Pennsylvania prosecutors want a "bandwagon" of
unreliable accusers on parade at Bill Cosby's sexual
assault trial next year, egged on by a celebrity
attorney intent on bringing down an American icon, the
comedian's defense lawyers said on Wednesday.
|
But the lead prosecutor, Kevin Steele, told a state judge the
women can help prove that Cosby is a serial predator who engaged
in a "lifetime of sexual assault."
The judge, Steven O'Neill, is weighing whether to allow 13
accusers to testify, in addition to the woman whose allegations
of sexual abuse form the basis for the case.
Cosby, 79, faces sexual assault claims from about 50 women
altogether, though the Pennsylvania case is the only criminal
prosecution to result. The actor, who once enjoyed a
family-friendly image, has denied any wrongdoing.
The two-day hearing that concluded on Wednesday was seen as
crucial for both sides. If prosecutors prevail, Cosby would face
multiple witnesses describing attacks going back four decades.

If not, Cosby's defense lawyers could focus on undermining just
one account: that of Andrea Constand, whose allegations of a
2004 drug-fueled sexual assault led to the Pennsylvania charges
a decade later.
Evidence of "prior bad acts" is typically disallowed to avoid
unfairly prejudicing jurors. But prosecutors can be permitted to
introduce such evidence if it shows a clear pattern of behavior.
Steele said the 14 women's accounts share "remarkable
similarities." In each case, he said, Cosby targeted young
women, established trust and then incapacitated them with
intoxicants.
[to top of second column] |

But McMonagle said the prior accusations, which stretch back to the
1960s, were "ancient, remote, incredible and uncorroborated," and
lacked key details like exact dates. He also argued that the alleged
assaults were far too different to suggest a specific pattern.
"Take my case that was in a garbage can for 10 years ... and breathe
life into it by changing the law. That's what they're asking you to
do," McMonagle told O'Neill.
Cosby's lawyers also accused prominent attorney Gloria Allred, who
represents most of the women and was sitting in the courtroom, of
using prosecutors to advance her clients' interests.
"Gloria Allred has been brilliant," said defense lawyer Angela
Agrusa. "She executed a plan, and she got the district attorney's
office to be her bagman."
Speaking to reporters outside court, Allred said, "When you have the
facts on your side, you argue the facts. When you don't have the
facts, then you either attack the victim or other lawyers."
O'Neill said it would take time for him to render a decision. The
trial is scheduled for June.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Scott Malone and Tom Brown)
[© 2016 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2016 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
 |