Bill Cosby's lawyers ask judge to toss out defamation suit
(AP) — A federal judge should throw out a defamation lawsuit against Bill Cosby filed by three women accusing him of decades-old sex crimes because the remarks were personal opinions protected under the U.S. Constitution, his lawyers said Monday.
The comments in question range from brief statements dismissing their accusations as "ridiculous claims" and "absurd fabrication" to longer remarks that attempt to discredit the accusers by highlighting their pasts.
[...] Cosby lawyer Robert LoBue argued in a nearly two-hour hearing in federal court Monday that many of the comments are constitutionally protected personal opinions.
At least one of the remarks, he said, was made so long ago that it exceeds the statute of limitations for legal action and shouldn't be considered.
The Associated Press generally does not publish the names of people alleging sexual assault, but Green, Serignese and Traitz have publicly discussed their allegations.