Bad news for Bill Cosby. As if he needed more bad news.
A judge has shot down the scandal-plagued comedian’s attempt to appeal a ruling in his criminal case, according to court papers obtained by TheWrap.
Cosby was charged with aggravated indecent assault in December. The charges stem from accusations made by former Temple University employee Andrea Constand, who claims Cosby drugged and sexually assaulted her in his Pennsylvania home in 2004. After former Montgomery County (Pa.) district attorney Bruce Castor declined to pursue criminal charges, Constand filed suit against Cosby in 2005, later settling with him.
Earlier this month, Cosby’s legal team argued that either the case should be tossed, or that Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele — who made the Cosby case a prominent part of his campaign for office last year — should be removed from the case. Lawyers for Cosby contended that there was an agreement with Castor that the comedian wouldn’t be prosecuted.
Judge Steven T. O’Neill shot down that argument, and late last week Cosby filed notice that he was appealing the case.
O’Neill again put the brakes on Cosby in an order issued Tuesday, noting that his previous Feb. 4 orders “do not involve controlling questions of law as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion, and (2) an immediate appeal from these orders would not materially advance the ultimate termination of the matter, therefore, it is hereby ordered and decreed that the motion is denied.”
Cosby has been accused of rape or sexual assault by dozens of women, many of whom claim he drugged them beforehand. Numerous lawsuits have been filed against the comedian. Cosby has denied the allegations, and in some cases sued his accusers for defamation.