Prosecution Argues For More Accusers To Testify Against Cosby; Hearing Wraps Up
By Jim Melwert, Greg Argos
NORRISTOWN, Pa. (CBS) -- Two intense days of arguments in a pretrial hearing on sex assault charges against Bill Cosby have wrapped up in Montgomery County. Prosecutors are asking to put 13 women with similar allegations on the stand at Cosby's trial.
Prosecutor Kevin Steele says testimony from the additional accusers would show Cosby knew what he was doing when he gave Andrea Constand pills in 2004 and then allegedly fondled her while she was incapacitated.
"This is going to be a key ruling in the case because the main defense expected to be presented by Mr. Cosby is one of consent," explained attorney Gloria Allred, who represents some of the women named in the motion.
All 13 women say they were sexually assaulted by Cosby in the past.
"That would show a pattern, what we would call a signature and that would be a common scheme and that would, according to prosecution, show that there was an absence of mistake by Mr. Cosby," said Allred.
Steele says without the testimony the women will be forced to argue the case based on uncorroborated testimony from Constand.
"I believe I would be remissed if I didn't thank the individuals that have come forward," Steel said. "They knew what they were facing when they decided to come forward."
But defense attorney Brian McMonagle calls the accusations nothing more than "a bandaged bandwagon of claims." He says since the 13 women can't recall exact days, time or even specific details of the alleged incidents, they should not be allowed to testify.
"The idea of those other cases being brought into this case is an absolute travesty of justice," McMonagle said. "In order for anybody to get a fair trial, the things that are happening here can't happen."
This was the last scheduled pretrial motion before the June 2017 trial. The judge says the only possible motion left is a motion to change the venue. That motion has not yet been filed but that could be one last thing before Cosby faces a jury in 2017.
O'Neill did not make a decision from the bench as of Wednesday. His written ruling is expected to come out in a few days.
