The upcoming criminal trial for Bill Cosby is fast approaching. He faces charges that he sexually assaulted former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia home in 20014. Combined with pending civil lawsuits from other accusers, the prospects look grim for the beloved comedian.
Now, his legal team has pulled another desperate maneuver that could impact all the cases that are currently pending. Earlier this week, a motion was put forward by Cosby’s lawyers asking a Philadelphia judge to reseal the damning deposition he gave over 19 years ago in civil lawsuit. In that deposition, Cosby admitted that he gave the powerful sedative Quaalude to multiple women before he engaged in consensual sex as a regular habit. The record of these extramarital affairs and drug use is being used as evidence for the more than 50 women who have accused Cosby of sexual assault.
Resealing Cosby’s deposition would mean that none of the parties who are currently suing the comedian can use his sworn statements as evidence in the pending criminal and civil cases that are currently in the court system. The comedian is seeking to overturn a ruling that made the deposition documents public last year under a Freedom of Information request made by the Associated Press. This maneuver by Cosby’s legal team may be too little too late, as most of the country is aware that Cosby was a serial philanderer and the court of public opinion has already formed against the comedian.
Since the allegation emerged about his drugging and cheating, at least 26 colleges and universities have revoked honorary degrees given to the comedian. Among those who have done so include his beloved alma mater of Temple University in Philadelphia where Cosby has donated substantially to the school and sat on its board of trustees.
At least 50 women have come forward alleging that Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted them over the past few decades. These allegations have also resulted in several shows that Cosby was a part of being pulled from the air. This includes not only the highly successful “Cosby Show” but also the children’s programs of “Fat Albert” and “Little Bill.” A federal judge is expected to rule on the new motion to suppress this week.
