Montgomery County Judge Refuses To Fast-Track Cosby Appeal
By Ian Bush
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A Montgomery County judge has denied a motion to expedite Bill Cosby's fight to have the criminal sexual assault charges against him dismissed.
The Pennsylvania Superior Court still could hear Cosby's appeal, but the comedian's attorneys hoped Judge Steven O'Neill would speed up the process by effectively giving his OK for a review.
In his order, O'Neill rejects the lawyers' arguments that "extraordinary circumstances" should put the case on hold.
The defense pointed to former District Attorney Bruce Castor's testimony noting a binding non-prosecution promise made to Cosby in 2005. The government contends there is no such agreement.
Barring a move by the higher court, Cosby has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 8 on sexual assault charges.