Bill Cosby’s lawyers want sex assault retrial judge removed

Lawyers for Bill Cosby are seeking the removal of the Pennsylvania judge from the star’s upcoming sex assault retrial over concerns of partiality.
Judge Steven T. O’Neill presided over last year (17)’s case, which was declared a mistrial, and now members of the defence team have taken issue with his involvement, because his wife, Deborah V. O’Neill, is a social worker who co-ordinates the Sexual Trauma Treatment Outreach and Prevention programme at the University of Pennsylvania.
Cosby’s legal representatives filed a motion on Thursday (22Mar18), claiming there is a “clear appearance of partiality” on Judge O’Neill’s part, highlighting his recent decision to allow five other women, who have also made sexual misconduct allegations against the actor, to testify on behalf of prosecutors.
They want a new court official chosen at random to replace him.
The veteran comedian stands accused of drugging and molesting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his home in Philadelphia in 2004.
Cosby has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
The retrial is set to begin on 2 April (18).