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DA: Let Cosby case proceed

Montgomery County prosecutors urged Superior Court on Friday to reject Bill Cosby's bid to halt his trial on sex assault charges.

Montgomery County prosecutors urged Superior Court on Friday to reject Bill Cosby's bid to halt his trial on sex assault charges.

In court filings, District Attorney Kevin Steele argued that Cosby's attempt to appeal a lower-court ruling was premature, and based on an issue more appropriately argued after a trial and verdict. He also said it appeared to be part of a defense strategy designed to slow the criminal justice process for the 78-year-old entertainer.

"Remarkably, he has not even had a preliminary hearing, thanks to inventive lawyering that apparently seems intent on keeping his case from a jury for as long as possible," prosecutors wrote.

That preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 8 in Norristown. Steele urged the higher court to let it proceed as planned.

A spokesman for Cosby's defense team declined comment.

His lawyers have challenged the ruling this month by County Court Judge Steven T. O'Neill that Cosby could be prosecuted over 2005 sex assault allegations by Andrea Constand.

They claimed former District Attorney Bruce L. Castor Jr. decided against charges at the time and promised that Cosby would never face prosecution over the alleged 2004 incident at his Cheltenham home.

An immediate review of O'Neill's ruling is warranted, they contend, because the case collapses if the decision is overturned.

Cosby, who faces five to 10 years in prison if convicted of aggravated indecent assault, has denied improper sexual conduct with Constand or any of the dozens of other women who have accused him.