January 22, 2016 – Temporary relief came the way of black American entertainer, Bill Cosby, who was accused of sexual assault by over 40 women.
Hearing in one of the cases on Thursday went contrary to public expectation when a federal judge in Pennsylvania okayed Cosby’s motion to dismiss a case of defamation of character filed against his person.
Renita Hill, had filed a civil suit in October alleging that the actor and his lawyer defamed her in the media. But the trial Judge, Judge Arthur Schwab dismissed the three claims against Cosby, based on the submission that the statements presented in court do not support a claim for defamation as defined by Pennsylvania law.
In the ruling on Thursday, Schwab said there was no grounds for defamation, and that multiple claims were pure opinion and a far cry from labelling Hill.
“None of the facts alleged supported her claims for defamation, false light, or intentional infliction of emotional distress under Pennsylvania law,”, the judge said.
“It is our hope that courts in other jurisdictions with similar matters will respond in like manner’, Cosby’s lawyer said in a statement after the ruling.
But for George Kontos, Renita Hill’s lawyer, it is nothing but disappointment. “We are disappointed, but remain committed to seeking justice in this matter. We strongly disagree with the judge’s reasoning that Cosby’s statements are constitutionally protected opinions,” he told CNN.
