No explanation was given for why McMonagle was not returning for the do-over. His co-counsel was Angela Agrusa, who was representing Cosby in civil matters and was given a curiously large role during the trial considering that she had never tried a criminal case. It's a big change from the first trial, when a a local pit bull, Brian McMonagle, anchored the team, delivering dramatic opening and closing statements and subjecting witnesses to tough cross-examinations. Joining him are other out-of-towners, including former federal prosecutor Kathleen Bliss and appeals expert Becky James. The defense teamĬosby hired new lawyers for his retrial, starting with high-profile Los Angeles attorney Tom Mesereau, best known for defending Michael Jackson against molestation charges and his work on the Robert Blake case. Another possibility: former model Janice Dickinson, who has accused Cosby of drugging and raping her in 1982 and is currently suing him for defamation over his lawyers’ claim that she lied. Johnson is among the eight potential witnesses, thought it's unclear if prosecutors will put her back on the stand.

'It's like swinging at ghosts in the courtroom,' said prominent Philadelphia lawyer William Brennan, who has been following the case. The district attorney can choose the five from a group of eight women whose allegations date from 1982 to 1996. Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images fileīut last week, the judge dealt the defense a major blow, ruling that prosecutors can call five more accusers to the stand to demonstrate a pattern of behavior.

Janice Dickinson is one of eight Bill Cosby accusers who could testify at his retrial. For the last trial, Montgomery County Judge Steven O'Neill allowed just one woman other than Constand to testify: Kelley Johnson, who worked for his talent agent and says the star drugged and molested her in 1996. The accusersĭozens of women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct stretching back decades, allegations he vigorously denies. Here's a look at how the retrial, scheduled to get off the ground with jury selection on April 2, will be a departure from the legal drama that unfolded last spring.

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