Montco Courtroom Erupts into Shouting Match at Bill Cosby Hearing

NORRISTOWN, PA -- Bill Cosby was back in Montgomery County Court on Tuesday morning in the latest pretrial hearing which will determine whether or not the testimony of 13 other sexual assault accusers can be used against him.

The arguments Tuesday reportedly devolved into multiple "shouting matches" between the defense and the prosecution, and both sides were warned. According to the Boston Herald, the dispute between Cosby lawyer Brian McMonagle and DA Kevin Steele was related to the release of the names of the women accusing Cosby of sexual assault. Steele alleged that McMonagle wanted the names released in order to intimidate them into silence.

On multiple occasions, Judge Steven T. O'Neill had to demand silence, and even threatened to call in sheriff's deputies to calm the situation, 6ABC reports. He ultimately ruled that the names of 11 of the women could be identified publicly because they had already told the public their stories.

As he was being led into the courtroom Tuesday morning, Cosby apparently joked with the one of the security guards: "don't tase me, bro," according to USA Today.

Cosby faces charges of felony indecent assault of a former friend and Temple University employee, Andrea Constand. The hearing will continue Wednesday.

In a series of court orders on November 16, Judge Steven T. O'Neill denied a motion that had been put forth by the defense: the request that Cosby's other accusers undergo "competency" hearings before their testimony is allowed in court. In the motion filed October 31, lawyers argued that the testimony of these accusers was not reliable. The motion cites the fact that the accusers cite incidents dating back to the 1960s and questions whether they have "the ability to remember the event which was observed or perceived."

Judge O'Neill will also decide if the prosecution can use a deposition given by Cosby where he admits he bought drugs to use to impair women and take advantage of them sexually.

More than 50 women have accused Cosby, but no cases have been brought this far along in the legal process.

Cosby is currently working with a completely new legal team, which he staffed in July. His defense is headed by famed defense attorney Brian McMonagle. The prosecution is led by Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele.

>>Bill Cosby Charged: 5 Things You Might Not Know

Cosby, 79, is suffering from a degenerative eye condition and has now completely lost his vision, Page Six reported. The reports, which stemmed from a "source close to Cosby,"added that he is in a "personal hell."“He is largely confined to his house in Pennsylvania, and the only person on his side is his wife, Camille, who is masterminding his defense," the report states.

The hearings are scheduled to continue through Wednesday. It is the latest in a long string of legal processes that have helped this case drag on for more than a year before the trial even begins. Cosby continues to deny all allegations of abuse.

The trial is officially set for June 5, 2017.

Image courtesy Montgomery County District Attorney's Office.