Cosby Tries to Get Sexual Assault Charges Dropped

The entertainer's lawyers said Andrea Constand should be required to testify in a preliminary hearing. A judge disagreed.

Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing, Tuesday, May 24, 2016, in Norristown, Pa.

Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse for a preliminary hearing on May 24th, 2016, in Norristown.

A judge in Norristown today shot down entertainer Bill Cosby’s latest attempt to have the charges against him dropped for allegedly drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand. Cosby’s lawyers argued unsuccessfully that Constand should have been required to testify during the preliminary hearing, according to BillyPenn.

Statements that Constand gave to the police in 2006 after filing a lawsuit against Cosby were read into the record during the preliminary hearing, even though she didn’t testify. Cosby’s defense attorneys argued that either a new preliminary hearing should be held with Constand testifying, or the charges should be dropped. Judge Steven O’Neil disagreed and the said the prosecutors provided sufficient evidence.

“[Defense attorneys] want to attack that for their case, they want to re-victimize the person,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, BillyPenn reported. “Is it to intimidate a person from going forward or cooperating?”

Whether or not the depositions from Constand that were used in the preliminary trial can be used going forward has yet to be determined.

After the trial, Cosby’s attorney Brian McMonagle addressed reporters, saying, “Someone who has given so much to so many had his constitutional rights trampled on.” Cosby has repeatedly maintained that he is innocent.