Bill Cosby departs the Montgomery County Courthouse after a preliminary hearing, May 24, 2016, in Norristown. (AFP Photo)
NORRISTOWN, UNITED STATES:
A judge ruled on Tuesday that there is enough evidence to bring Bill Cosby to trial in the lone criminal case brought against him out of the barrage of allegations that he drugged and molested dozens of women.
Here's what happened Tuesday and what comes next, including the other legal cases he faces.
What Happened Tuesday?
District Judge Elizabeth McHugh made her decision after a detective read from a 2005 police statement given by Andrea Constand, who alleges that Cosby penetrated her with his fingers after giving her pills that made her legs "rubbery" and "like jelly."
Cosby's lawyers argued unsuccessfully that reading Constand's statement instead of putting her on the stand would be hearsay and would deprive him of his right to confront his accuser.
What Happens Next?
Cosby waived his right to be formally arraigned and enter a plea, so the case is now in the hands of lawyers. It could be a year or more before Cosby goes to trial.
Defense lawyers will be battling to keep Cosby's deposition from Constand's civil lawsuit out of the trial. Cosby admits in the deposition that he pursued young models and actresses for extramarital affairs and obtained quaaludes for women he hoped to seduce.
Some of them are among the dozens of women who now accuse him of assaulting them. The defense will also try to keep them from testifying for the prosecution at trial.
But prosecutors will argue that they should be heard to show that Cosby had a pattern of drugging and assaulting women.
What About The Other Cases?
Cosby also is contending with two sexual battery lawsuits and a dozen defamation claims brought by women who came forward too late to sue but say they were smeared by Cosby or his representatives.
That includes a lawsuit from Judy Huth, who alleges the comedian forced her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion around 1974 when she was 15. Cosby has denied the allegation and accused Huth and her former lawyer of attempted extortion.
Former model Chloe Goins sued Cosby and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner this month accusing the comedian of drugging her and sexually battering her in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion in 2008.
Prosecutors rejected filing a criminal case after authorities couldn't corroborate Goins' account of when she was at the mansion. The suit also accuses Hefner of being aware that Cosby had a pattern of drugging and sexually abusing women and did not try to stop it.
Cosby is also dealing with two disputes over whether his insurance policies should cover his legal expenses.
Here's what happened Tuesday and what comes next, including the other legal cases he faces.
What Happened Tuesday?
District Judge Elizabeth McHugh made her decision after a detective read from a 2005 police statement given by Andrea Constand, who alleges that Cosby penetrated her with his fingers after giving her pills that made her legs "rubbery" and "like jelly."
Cosby's lawyers argued unsuccessfully that reading Constand's statement instead of putting her on the stand would be hearsay and would deprive him of his right to confront his accuser.
What Happens Next?
Cosby waived his right to be formally arraigned and enter a plea, so the case is now in the hands of lawyers. It could be a year or more before Cosby goes to trial.
Defense lawyers will be battling to keep Cosby's deposition from Constand's civil lawsuit out of the trial. Cosby admits in the deposition that he pursued young models and actresses for extramarital affairs and obtained quaaludes for women he hoped to seduce.
Some of them are among the dozens of women who now accuse him of assaulting them. The defense will also try to keep them from testifying for the prosecution at trial.
But prosecutors will argue that they should be heard to show that Cosby had a pattern of drugging and assaulting women.
What About The Other Cases?
Cosby also is contending with two sexual battery lawsuits and a dozen defamation claims brought by women who came forward too late to sue but say they were smeared by Cosby or his representatives.
That includes a lawsuit from Judy Huth, who alleges the comedian forced her to perform a sex act on him in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion around 1974 when she was 15. Cosby has denied the allegation and accused Huth and her former lawyer of attempted extortion.
Former model Chloe Goins sued Cosby and Playboy founder Hugh Hefner this month accusing the comedian of drugging her and sexually battering her in a bedroom of the Playboy Mansion in 2008.
Prosecutors rejected filing a criminal case after authorities couldn't corroborate Goins' account of when she was at the mansion. The suit also accuses Hefner of being aware that Cosby had a pattern of drugging and sexually abusing women and did not try to stop it.
Cosby is also dealing with two disputes over whether his insurance policies should cover his legal expenses.
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