Bill Cosby's Deposition: Confession to Rape?
Bill Cosby admitted to acquiring sedatives with the intent to give them to women he wanted to have sex with, according to court documents released yesterday. Cosby also admitted to giving drugs to at least one woman before sex.
The admissions came in depositions taken during a lawsuit filed by Andrea Constand, who accused Cosby of drugging and raping her in 2004. Under oath, Cosby conceded he had several prescriptions for Quaaludes and intended to give them to women.
What He Said
Some two dozen women have accused Cosby of sexual misconduct, and his admissions mirror the allegations of several women who say the actor and comedian drugged them before raping them. According to unsealed court filings, here's how Cosby responded when asked about drugs and sex:
After defendant testified that he obtained seven prescriptions for Quaaludes, the following testimony was elicited:
Q. You gave them to other people?
A. Yes.
...
Q. When you got the Quaaludes, was it in your mind that you were going to use these Quaaludes for young women that you wanted to have sex with?
A. Yes.
...
Q. You thought it was later than that?
...
THE WITNESS:
A. I meet Ms (Redacted) in Las Vegas. She meets me back stage. I give her Quaaludes. We then have sex. I do not I can't judge at this time what she knows about herself for 19 years, a passive personality.
What It Could Mean
A deposition is sworn testimony given in advance of trial as part of the discovery process. Almost all deposition testimony is taken under oath, and those testifying during a deposition normally have their attorney with them.
In this case, Cosby was testifying regarding Constand's lawsuit, which was settled out of court in 2006. Cosby and his attorneys had tried to keep the deposition transcripts secret, but a judge ordered the transcripts to be released after the Associated Press successfully argued that Cosby was a public person.
While Cosby does not admit to giving Quaaludes to women without their knowledge, his admissions could be used by plaintiffs in further civil lawsuits. Cosby has not been formally charged with rape because the statute of limitations on his alleged crimes had run out by the time many of his accusers came forward.
Related Resources:
- Bill Cosby Deposition Reveals He Gave Women Quaaludes for Sex (The Hollywood Reporter)
- Janice Dickinson Sues Bill Cosby for Defamation (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Bill Cosby Responds to Sex Assault Lawsuit With Demurrer (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)
- Bill Cosby's Lawsuit Response: 5 Things You Should Know (FindLaw's Celebrity Justice)