Bill Cosby has been ordered by a judge to stand trial for criminal assault charges stemming from a particular alleged incident that took place over a decade ago.
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Montgomery County prosecutors sought to use Tuesday’s hearing to persuade Judge Elizabeth McHugh that there is enough evidence to put Cosby on trial.
Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing, May 24, 2016, in Norristown, Pennsylvania.
Tuesday’s preliminary hearing will focus on the only allegation that has led to criminal charges, that Cosby in 2004 drugged and assaulted Andrea Constand, a former basketball coach at his Temple University alma mater.
In addition to Constand, Allred represents almost three dozen women who have accused Cosby of drugging and assaulting them, in some cases dating back decades.
Cosby faces up to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Cosby’s defense attorney slammed the decision to move forward with a trial.
“After hearing the weak, inconsistent and incredible evidence presented, it is clear why the prosecution did not allow its witness to speak and be confronted by the person she has accused”.
After taking at least two pills, Constand alleges that she was sexually assaulted by the former “Cosby Show” star.
“There was no evidence of a crime here”. And if the inconsistencies that plagued this investigation from the beginning continue to plague it now, this case should end immediately. However, a former district attorney in Montgomery County chose not to pursue charges in 2005. But reading a police statement into the record is common practice at preliminary hearings in Pennsylvania. The said admission was just recently revealed.
Constand made the statement to police when she reported the alleged crime in 2005; she also has made more recent statements in interviews with police and prosecutors, which may be introduced at a later time.
After a short break, the Cheltenham Township Police Department chief took the stand and read parts of Cosby’s interview with police in 2005.
Before being hit by a wave of sex assault allegations, Cosby had been one of the most beloved USA entertainers. Cosby has not yet been arraigned, as his attorneys spent the last several months trying to get the charges dismissed.
In not calling her to testify on Tuesday, prosecutors took advantage of a Pennsylvania Superior Court ruling a year ago that cleared the way for prosecutors to use statements to police instead of direct testimony from accusers as their sole evidence at preliminary hearings. The “I Spy” actor denied all allegations and sued Constand in February, stating she violated the terms of the case.
Cosby has been free on $1 million bail since he was arrested December 30.
This hearing was not the showdown that many anticipated – the accused did not get to face his accuser in court.
He settled the civil aspect of the suit for an undisclosed amount in 2006.
He allegedly offered her a glass of wine at his home in 2004, but she claims she declined, only accepting a few sips when Cosby insisted. But he will never stand trial in the vast majority of cases because the statutes of limitations have passed.
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The deposition revealed that Bill Cosby claimed the talent agency representing him would send him at least five or six models weekly to hide his extramarital affairs from his wife.
