Cosby’s wife will have to testify in lawsuit

Cosby’s wife will have to testify in lawsuit

BOSTON

Bill Cosby’s wife will be forced to testify in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven women who accuse the comedian of sexually assaulting them decades ago.

A federal judge Thursday denied a motion by Camille Cosby to throw out a subpoena requiring her to give a deposition in the lawsuit. She is scheduled to be deposed by lawyers for the women Wednesday.

U.S. Judge Magistrate David Hennessey in Springfield, Mass., said Camille Cosby failed to prove that she and her husband were protected by the state’s marital disqualification law. He also rejected claims that the value of the testimony would be outweighed by the “undue burden” the deposition would cause.

The arguments “do not outweigh the potential significance of Mrs. Cosby’s testimony, nor has Mrs. Cosby provided any authority that they do,” Hennessey wrote in a 12-page ruling.

The couple has been married for more than 50 years and Camille Cosby is her husband’s business partner. She is not a defendant in the lawsuit against Bill Cosby.

‘Star Wars’ box office surpasses all but one

LOS ANGELES

“Star Wars: The Force Awakens” marched confidently into the new year, raking in an additional $88.3 million over the New Year’s weekend and topping the box office for a third week, according to studio estimates Sunday.

In addition to setting a new high mark in New Year’s box-office history, the record-busting film blew past the domestic grosses of both “Jurassic World” ($652.3 million) and “Titanic” ($658.7 million) to become the second-highest earner of all time with $740.3 million in just 19 days of release.

The top domestic film is “Avatar” with a $760.5 million lifetime domestic gross, but “Star Wars” is barreling in to surpass it soon.

Following in the top five at the box office over the weekend were: “Daddy’s Home,” $29 million, second place; “The Hateful Eight,” $16.2 million, third; “Sisters,” $12.6 million, fourth; and “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Road Chip,” $11.8 million, fifth place.

Associated Press