The comedian, Bill Cosby, will not be deposed next month, as ruled by a federal judge last Wednesday. This is with regards to his case accusing him of defamation by seven women who have accused him of sexual assault.
According to Toronto Star, the comedian was scheduled for deposition on February 22, but was held off by U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessy. However, his wife, Camille Cosby, will continue to be deposed as scheduled on that day. Bill Cosby's lawyers proposed to keep a significant amount of material in the case to be kept from the public, but were denied by Judge Hennessy. The judge rather proposed for only limited protection on sensitive information, which was agreed by both parties involved.
The comedian's lawyers proposed the order due to the other party seeking irrelevant and intimate details of Cosby's life, including his sexual partners other than his wife since 1968, dates of sexual encounters and all his medical records. Irish Independent reported that both parties will be allowed to request the judge to seal such records longer until the judge decides on an extension. However, the lawyer representing the women argued that the proposed order would ruin the transparency of the case which has been a public interest, since the man involved is a big public figure. He agreed in some acknowledgment that some confidential information of the comedian will remain private, such as his financial information.
Radar Online reported a more detailed police file of one of the victims, Andrea Constand. The file revealed the detailed statement made by both parties, in which they differ towards the end. They both agreed that Andrea, who worked for the athletic department of Temple University, went to Cosby's home in Philadelphia voluntarily back in 2004. Andrea explained how the comedian gave him pills to drink since she was not feeling great at the time. Cosby claimed he only gave her Benadryl, but Andrea claimed she felt she was drugged that night.
The lawyer representing the women accusing the comedian of sexual assault claims that they have a strong case to fight. They believe that justice will prevail soon.
