Cosby lawyers fight deposition of his wife in lawsuit

[rooster59]

Cosby lawyers fight deposition of his wife in lawsuit

DENISE LAVOIE, AP Legal Affairs Writer


BOSTON (AP) — Lawyers for Bill Cosby said Friday they will fight an attempt to require his wife to give a sworn deposition in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven women who accuse the comedian of sexually assaulting them decades ago.

A lawyer for the women has subpoenaed Camille Cosby to be deposed on Jan. 6. at a hotel in Springfield, Massachusetts.

But Cosby's lawyers filed a motion Friday to quash the subpoena, saying she has no firsthand, non-repetitive knowledge of issues in the lawsuit. They also argue that any confidential communications between Cosby and his wife are protected by the Massachusetts spousal disqualification rule.

The women's lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, had argued that he should be able to question Camille Cosby because she was her husband's business manager.

"I think she has information that's relevant to the litigation in this matter," Cammarata said Friday.

Cosby's lawyers said Camille Cosby does not have any information about the accuracy of the women's allegations. They also allege that the attempt to subject her to a deposition is "nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to pressure defendant in the face of subjecting his wife to the shame and embarrassment of responding to questions about his alleged infidelities and sexual misconduct."

The seven women suing Cosby for defamation in federal court in Springfield are among approximately 50 women who have come forward over the last year alleging that he sexually assaulted or had unwanted sexual contact with them decades ago. They claim in their suit that Cosby allowed his representatives to portray them as liars after they went public with their allegations.

Cosby, 78, filed a countersuit against the women earlier this week, accusing them of making false allegations of sexual misconduct for financial gain. He said the women have "engaged in a campaign to assassinate" his reputation and character.

-- (c) Associated Press 2015-12-19

[Metamorant]

Cosby, 78, filed a countersuit against the women earlier this week, accusing them of making false allegations of sexual misconduct for financial gain. He said the women have "engaged in a campaign to assassinate" his reputation and character.

Bill Cosby is now suing seven of the women who have accused him of sexual misconduct. So far more than 50 women have alleged wrongdoing on his part.

[SOTIRIOS]

........duh....wonder why.....

[spidermike007]

Well, she may not have first hand knowledge, but I bet she smelt a lot of funny stuff over the years, when her husband came home from his hundreds and hundreds of dalliances. Not that I am judging him, or anything like that. LOL. Just stating the obvious. my guess is that he is guilty as sin.

[retarius]

Not a Cosby fan but if she wasn't involved in witnessing pr procuring the girls I don't see the need to depose her.

[luckyman]

Well, she may not have first hand knowledge, but I bet she smelt a lot of funny stuff over the years, when her husband came home from his hundreds and hundreds of dalliances. Not that I am judging him, or anything like that. LOL. Just stating the obvious. my guess is that he is guilty as sin.

My guess too, but what I donot understand is, what took the women so long to come forward ?

I mean it happened decades ago!

[NeverSure]

I think there should be a statute of limitation on this stuff. If someone accused me of doing something decades ago, how could I even remember where I was or what I was doing on a given date to come up with an alibi? I think it's impossible to defend against "he said she said" from decades ago.

I'm not saying he's innocent, but the US standard is that all of the burden of proof is on the accuser, and to a high standard. After many decades, and even if true, what could the motivation for suing be other than money?

Personal testimony including an eyewitness account is one of the weakest forms of evidence at a trial. People can say anything and often they are wrong or lying. Physical evidence such as videos and DNA and fingerprints are the strong evidence.

If I was the judge I'd throw this whole thing out of court for a lack of real evidence.

Cheers.

[northernphil]

Don't know why but I keep thinking of Cosby , Steals , Snatch and Run '

[MaeJoMTB]

As the western world produces more deranged and damaged women, false accusations of rape and abuse will become more frequent.

Never have sex with a woman without a fair chance of getting the 'thanks it was great' SMS/email/note later.

Keep those messages forever. Else this could happen to you too.

It can only get worse.

If Crosby had followed this advice, and was innocent, he should have had at least a chance to legally refute some of the 50 claims.

As it stands we will never really know. He might be innocent, he might be guilty.

What we won't see is justice for anyone.

The outcome will be independent of innocence or guilt.

Edited December 20, 2015 by MaeJoMTB

[smotherb]

Well, she may not have first hand knowledge, but I bet she smelt a lot of funny stuff over the years, when her husband came home from his hundreds and hundreds of dalliances. Not that I am judging him, or anything like that. LOL. Just stating the obvious. my guess is that he is guilty as sin.

Guess all you want, but you don't know and neither do I nor any others not directly involved with Cosby's penis. Under US law, a person does not have to testify against their spouse, that is why the lawyers for the seven women are requesting her disposition as his business manager.

However, I know, and I suspect most reading this know too, that many women will accept a sexual relationship with anyone who can provide something they want--Cosby was in a good position to offer liquid assets--pun intended--and a chance in show business.

If I were in Cosby's position, I am sure I could have found plenty of willing places to point Percy.

[djlest]

i find it very odd that 50 women all got raped, and not one of them filed a report to police? its like FREE money, they all jump on the train...