The defense team in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault retrial rested its case on Monday as the comedian once again didn’t take the stand in his own defense.
In the Montgomery County Courthouse in Pennsylvania, Judge Steven O’ Neill asked the 80-year-old comedian if it was accurate that the would not be testifying, according to Deadline.
“That is correct, your honor,” Cosby told the jury.
Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele arrives for the fifth day of deliberations in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania. (Picture by: Lucas Jackson / Reuters / Splash)
Cosby also didn’t testify in the first trial last year that ended in a mistrial.
The actor is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a former Temple University employee at his home in Philadelphia in 2004.
The defense spent last week calling witnesses who would contradict Constand’s claim. Their star witness, Marguerite Jackson, testified that she had a conversation with the main accuser that included her making a false accusation of sexual assault against a celebrity in order to “get that money” from a lawsuit.
Jackson was not allowed to testify in the first trial.
Defense attorney Tom Mesereau also pointed out possible contradictions in the prosecution’s timeline of events, with a witness laying out Cosby’s itinerary in January 2004 showing him away from his Philadelphia residence in places like Florida, Arizona, Kentucky and Michigan for much of the month. For each gig, he left from his home in New York and returned to the New York residence.
Constand originally told police the alleged assault happened in March 2004, but later testified that it took place in January of that year.
Closing arguments will take place Tuesday morning, with jury deliberations to follow shortly after.