Friday, February 12, 2016

Bill Cosby Appeals To Stop Criminal Sex Assault Case

William Thomas Cain / Getty Images

Bill Cosby on Friday appealed a judge's earlier decision to allow a criminal sex assault case against him to proceed.

Citing "exceptional circumstances," Cosby is fighting a Pennsylvania judge's decision to let the criminal case, in which he's accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a Temple University student in 2004. The judge ruled that an agreement made by a previous prosecutor to not press charges in the case did not apply to his successor.

Cosby's legal team argued in the appeal that the government should "live up to its obligation" and stand by former District Attorney Bruce Castor's agreement not to prosecute the actor if he testified in a related civil case. Cosby's attorneys contend their client is being denied his due process rights, noting that there has been a 12-year delay in bringing the current case against him, but because his own civil testimony will be used against him. In that deposition, Cosby talked about extramarital affairs and giving quaaludes to women before having sex with them.

"The issues presented here are matters of great public interest that related to the safeguarding of basic human rights," according to Cosby's motion.

The motion asked the court to grant an immediate appeal, which Cosby's legal team believes would lead to the "ultimate termination of the case."

Cosby's pretrial regarding the alleged 2004 attack is set for March 8. The alleged victim, Andrea Constand, met Cosby at Temple University and has accused him of drugging and sexually assaulting her at his suburban mansion.

More than 40 women have accused Cosby publicly of sexual assault, but he has denied the allegations. The statue of limitations for many of the allegations has passed.

LINK: The Long Road To Criminal Charges Against Bill Cosby

LINK: Bill Cosby “Inappropriately Touched” Andrea Constand: Former DA

LINK: Here Are All The Women Who Have Accused Bill Cosby Of Sexual Assault