The Pennsylvania Supreme Court seemed deeply skeptical on Tuesday about whether five women should have been allowed to testify against Bill Cosby during his sexual assault trial.
Cosby is serving a three-to-10 year sentence for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. In his appeal, his attorneys have argued that the judge should not have allowed the five other witnesses to tell jurors about their own accusations against the comedian.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments in the case on Tuesday morning. Several of the justices seemed troubled by the witnesses’ testimony, saying it may have unfairly influenced the jury.
“I tend to agree this evidence was extraordinarily prejudicial to your client,” said Justice Max Baer, speaking to Cosby’s attorney.
The case involves a key element of #MeToo trials — the use of “prior bad acts” witnesses to support the testimony of the alleged victim. Such witnesses were also used in Harvey Weinstein’s trial.
Cosby is serving a three-to-10 year sentence for sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004. In his appeal, his attorneys have argued that the judge should not have allowed the five other witnesses to tell jurors about their own accusations against the comedian.
The state Supreme Court heard arguments in the case on Tuesday morning. Several of the justices seemed troubled by the witnesses’ testimony, saying it may have unfairly influenced the jury.
“I tend to agree this evidence was extraordinarily prejudicial to your client,” said Justice Max Baer, speaking to Cosby’s attorney.
The case involves a key element of #MeToo trials — the use of “prior bad acts” witnesses to support the testimony of the alleged victim. Such witnesses were also used in Harvey Weinstein’s trial.
- 12/1/2020
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Since the 1980s, comics artist Drew Friedman has been making a name for himself with his unmistakable, hyper-detailed style and ghoulish sense of humor. His work has depicted the underbelly of show business in particular and the seamy side of American life in general. His work is populated by sweaty, aging comedians, misshapen losers, and grotesque B-movie stars, including the hulking, bald Swedish wrestler Tor Johnson of Plan 9 From Outer Space fame. Now, filmmaker Kevin Dougherty wants to make a full-length documentary about the scarily talented Friedman, affectionately entitled Vermeer Of The Borscht Belt, and is turning to Kickstarter for funding.
The proposed feature film will cover Friedman’s entire life and career, tracing his development from underground comic books to the covers of major magazines. Friedman’s own life is interesting, too. His father is the acclaimed writer Bruce Jay Friedman, whose film credits include Splash and Doctor...
The proposed feature film will cover Friedman’s entire life and career, tracing his development from underground comic books to the covers of major magazines. Friedman’s own life is interesting, too. His father is the acclaimed writer Bruce Jay Friedman, whose film credits include Splash and Doctor...
- 12/1/2016
- by Joe Blevins
- avclub.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.