Montgomery County judge urges quashing Cosby efforts to halt hearing
Bill Cosby faces a preliminary hearing March 8 in the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown
A Pennsylvania judge says entertainer Bill Cosby’s attempts to appeal his criminal charges should not be considered by a higher court. The opinion follows Cosby’s challenge to the judge’s decision to let the sexual assault move to trial.
Earlier this month, Cosby’s defense attorneys claimed an old promise was broken when prosecutors filed charges. But Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Steven O’Neil rejected the argument.
In a new opinion, O’Neil wrote that the issue Cosby raises doesn’t involve “questions of basic human rights and are not issues of great public importance.” The basis of Cosby’s appeal does not meet procedural standards, O’Neil continued.
Cosby is tying to have the case thrown out before trial based on the argument that a former prosecutor promised to never charge him.
O’Neil denied the move earlier this month, but Cosby appealed. Now the judge is recommending that a higher court quash the 78-year-old comedian’s appeal.
The judge said if Cosby is convicted, he’ll have a chance to appeal the verdict.
Cosby has a preliminary hearing scheduled for March 8. A ruling from the state’s Superior Court on whether to hear the appeal is expected soon.
Cosby, 78, faces three counts of aggravated indecent assault stemming from an incident in his Cheltenham home in the winter of 2004.
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