Bill Cosby’s wife, Camille, made her first appearance at her husband’s sexual assault trial on Monday, taking a seat in the courtroom as the defense rested its case after calling a single witness.
Both sides are expected to give closing arguments Monday afternoon, and the jury could begin deliberations later in the day or on Tuesday.
The comedian’s lawyers called to the stand only Detective Richard Schaffer, who was used mainly as a vehicle for the defense to move into evidence statements that the alleged victim, Andrea Constand, gave police.
Throughout the trial, Cosby’s team has zeroed in on inconsistencies between the various statements, and Constand admitted on the stand that she had made mistakes in one of her accounts.
Several other defense witnesses were blocked by the judge because their testimony would have been hearsay or would have violated the state’s rape shield law.
Before the jury came into the courtroom, the judge asked Cosby if he agreed with the defense decision not to present character witnesses or call him to the stand.
“Correct!” Cosby said in a booming voice.
The trial has moved faster than expected with just six days of testimony.
Prosecutors presented 12 witnesses, including two accusers.
Cosby did not take the stand, despite suggestions from his spokesman that it was a possibility.
Cosby, 79, has pleaded not guilty to drugging and molesting Constand, 44, at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004.
It’s the only criminal case stemming from dozens of sexual misconduct accusations spanning decades — all of which Cosby denies.
His wife wore a tight-lipped smile as she was led into the courtroom by a publicist. Cosby, who says he is legally blind, did not acknowledge her as she took her seat in the first row of spectator seating.
She was not in the courtroom during the prosecution’s case, which included a reading of her husband’s 2005 deposition in which he talked about giving women Quaaludes for sex.
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Source: NBC