NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Judge defends ruling that denied Cosby quick criminal appeal

PHILADELPHIA

A Pennsylvania judge is defending his decision to deny Bill Cosby a pretrial appeal over a key defense issue in his sexual-assault case.

Cosby wants an appeals court to reconsider his motion to have the case thrown out before trial. He says he had a promise from a former prosecutor he would never be charged.

Montgomery County Common Pleas Judge Steven O’Neill has found no evidence of such an agreement.

The judge said in a memo Wednesday there’s no pressing reason to delay the case while Cosby appeals. He says Cosby can file a post-trial appeal if he’s convicted.

Cosby is due in court March 8 for a preliminary hearing.

He is accused of drugging and molesting a former Temple University employee at his home near Philadelphia in 2004. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Associated Press