A lawyer for seven women who have accused Bill Cosby of sexual assault said on Monday he planned to ask the comedian’s wife about the couple’s relationship in a deposition for his clients’ defamation lawsuit.
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Her lawyers said that she “has had no involvement with the facts or allegations underlying this case”, and that forcing her to testify would serve “no goal other than to harass and embarrass her”, according to the Associated Press. She has also been his manager.
Camille Cosby’s dual role as Cosby’s wife and business partner muddy that distinction, legal experts said. Today, however, she was finally deposed in the MA defamation case against him, reports Yahoo News.
Cosby then countersued, accusing the women of conspiring to ruin his now-cancelled entertainment projects and insisted they made up their stories of abuse.
Camille blasted the women’s attempt to depose her in the documents that were filed in January, arguing first that the law is very clear about a husband and wife not having to testify against another or share information from private conversations.
Despite their pleas, U.S. District Judge, Mark Mastroianni, replied that many depositions had been held at that particular venue, and that there would be “adequate security in place” to appease her client’s concerns. The Cosbys’ primary residence is an estate in Shelburne Falls, an hour north of Springfield. Local media reported that Cosby was not spotted but cited lawyers on the scene as confirming the deposition began.
Camille – who’s been married to Bill for 52 years – tried to get out of the depo, and even filed an emergency motion late Saturday requesting it be delayed, but the judge said no dice.
Over the weekend, Bill Cosby’s attorneys filed a motion to stop the deposition, and the plaintiffs’ lawyers filed arguments against that motion.
Cosby also faces criminal charges in Pennsylvania.
After numerous women went public with sexual-assault allegations against Bill Cosby, Camille Cosby issued a supportive statement, calling him “a kind man, a generous man, a amusing man, and a wonderful husband, father and friend”. They’re among 50 women who have leveled sexual misconduct allegations against Cosby. In another case, a woman says Cosby took her to the Playboy Mansion when she was 15 and molested her.
Cosby has denied wrongdoing.
Cosby has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty.
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A preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 8.
