Bill Cosby Files Lengthy Appeal, Says Judge Allowed Testimony From Other Accusers That Wasn't Relevant
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS/AP) — Comedian Bill Cosby has filed a lengthy appeal of the sex assault conviction that landed him in prison and says the judge allowed testimony from other women accusers that wasn't relevant. Cosby's lawyers say the accounts from the five other women were "strikingly dissimilar" to that of trial accuser Andrea Constand and too remote in time to her 2004 encounter with Cosby.
The appeal Tuesday comes after Pennsylvania Judge Steven O'Neill in a post-trial memo said their testimony showed "chilling similarities" that pointed to a "signature" crime.
"On this date, one of our Great American Treasures [Bill Cosby]...was finally awarded the opportunity to file his appeal with the Superior Court of Pennsylvania. This filing is an important step in ensuring that Mr. Cosby receives a hearing from a fair and impartial court. The Constitution guarantees that right to Mr. Cosby—and to all Americans—and he looks forward to securing justice in the court of appeal," Cosby spokesman Andrew Wyatt said in a statement.
The 81-year-old Cosby has been serving a three- to 10-year prison term since September at a state prison near Philadelphia.
The appeal also challenges O'Neill's decisions to air Cosby's prior deposition testimony about Quaalude use and to preside despite an alleged feud with a pretrial witness.
(© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)