Rolling Stone Highlights Montgomery County DA Race

Amidst album reviews, highlights of new releases, features on the hidden lives of rock stars, there it is: a story about the race for Montgomery County District Attorney.

Because of Bill Cosby, the battle between Bruce Castor and Kevin Steele has been thrown into the national spotlight.

The article, “Bill Cosby’s Fate Could Hinge on Small Town Election” highlights Cosby’s alleged assault of former Temple student Andrea Constand and the resulting legal and political firestorm that is driving the rhetoric in the election.

The Democrat Steele, who is currently the First Assistant District Attorney, has said in ads that Castor, the Montgomery County Commissioner and former DA, should have pressed charges against Cosby.

>>To read more of Patch’s coverage of how the Cosby case is affecting the Montgomery County District Attorney’s race, please see here.

Constand, in addition, has filed a lawsuit against Castor for defamation, since he decided not press the charges at the time.

Constand’s attorney has said that a Castor victory would mean that they may not move forward with charges against Cosby, due to mistrust arising from how the case was previously handled.

“”How can we possibly trust him (Castor)?” Constand’s lawyer, Dolores Troiani, told Philly.com. “I don’t know how we could possibly do that.”

Castor blames Steele for what he sees as an overtly political move.

“The lawsuit filed today, seven days before an election, is the cheapest of Steele’s cheap campaign stunts,” Castor said in an email to Patch. “It is the act of a desperate candidate who is down in the polls and headed to defeat. It is totally without merit. Bruce Castor remains committed to a positive, issues-based campaign and that is exactly where our focus will be for the next week.”

Castor also points out that Steele has been the first assistant DA for the last eight years and no charges have been pressed against Cosby.

“Mr. Steele is still a prosecutor and could have moved against Cosby anytime after the additional evidence became available a year or so ago,” Castor added. “Yet he did nothing. Now the election rolls around and somehow it’s my fault? If he had been doing his job, and the the evidence was there, he could have arrested Cosby.”

In late September, rumors swirled that Ferman was seeking to press charges against Cosby. These charges could be pressed within the week, according to reports.

Cosby, in turn, has sought a criminal defense lawyer.

Image courtesy U.S. Navy, by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Andrew Meyers