Loading articles...

The Latest: Accuser says Cosby calls were about basketball

Last Updated Apr 16, 2018 at 10:40 am MDT

Prosecutor Kevin Steele arrives for Bill Cosby's sexual assault retrial at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pa., Monday, April 16, 2018. (Dominick Reuter/Pool Photo via AP)

NORRISTOWN, Pa. – The Latest on the Bill Cosby sexual-assault retrial (all times local):

11:55 a.m.

Bill Cosby’s lawyer is trying to paint the chief accuser in the comedian’s sex-assault case as an unrequited lover who spent late nights at the comedian’s home, drove hours to see him at a casino and called him twice on Valentine’s Day after she says he drugged and molested her.

Andrea Constand said under cross-examination Monday that her phone calls to Cosby were about basketball.

Phone records show the former director of women’s basketball operations at Temple University made brief calls to Cosby around the time of a Temple home game on Feb. 14, 2004.

Constand says she felt a duty to answer Cosby’s inquiries since he was an alumnus and trustee.

She has testified that she saw Cosby as a mentor and had no romantic interest in him.

The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify people who say they’re victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.

___

11:40 a.m.

The judge in Bill Cosby’s sexual assault retrial says he’s seeing the courtroom clearly again after having emergency surgery over the weekend to repair a torn retina.

Judge Steven O’Neill disclosed the injury as the retrial resumed Monday. He says he’s thankful to the doctors who diagnosed the tear and performed the laser procedure on his left eye without disrupting the trial schedule.

O’Neill said he was worried he’d have to wait to have the procedure during the week, delaying testimony and keeping sequestered jurors in their hotel longer. He said waiting too long could’ve caused him to lose sight in the eye.

Cosby is on trial over charges he drugged and molested a woman in 2004. He says the encounter was consensual. His first trial ended with a hung jury.

___

8:30 a.m.

Bill Cosby has arrived for the sixth day of his sexual assault retrial where he will again come face-to-face with his primary accuser.

The 80-year-old comedian walked through heavy rain into the suburban Philadelphia courthouse under a large black umbrella held by his spokesman.

Chief accuser Andrea Constand will be back on the stand Monday as Cosby lawyer Tom Mesereau scours a binder full of her police statements and prior testimony for inconsistencies.

During cross examination Friday, the trial lawyer had Constand flustered with questions about whether she’d ever said she was affectionate toward Cosby. Another line of attack centred on her involvement in a Ponzi scheme.

The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify people who say they’re victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.

___

Midnight

Bill Cosby’s chief accuser is back on the witness stand as the comedian’s lawyers look to raise doubts about her allegations that he drugged and molested her in 2004.

Andrea Constand faces more defence questions on Monday, and Cosby lawyer Tom Mesereau is scouring a binder full of her police statements and prior testimony for inconsistencies.

During cross examination Friday, the trial lawyer had Constand flustered with questions about whether she’d ever said she was affectionate toward Cosby. Another line of attack centred on her involvement in a Ponzi scheme.

Mesereau opened the sex assault retrial last week with a blistering attack on Constand, telling jurors the evidence will show she’s nothing more than a con artist.

The Associated Press doesn’t typically identify people who say they’re victims of sexual assault unless they grant permission, which Constand has done.