Defamation Case Against Bill Cosby Rejected In U.S. Court

NORRISTOWN, PA — While Bill Cosby awaits his upcoming criminal trial in Montgomery County, a defamation case against him was rejected by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit on Thursday.

According to a memo issued by Cosby's attorneys, a defamation suit was launched against him in 2014 by actress Katherine McKee after Cosby's attorneys published a letter calling her a liar.

McKee alleged earlier in 2014 that Cosby, now 80, had raped her in 1974. She was one of dozens of women who came forward with allegations against Cosby around the same time. Only one of these cases - brought forward by Temple University employee Andrea Constand - has progressed to a criminal trial.

In response to the allegations from McKee, which were published in the New York Daily News, Cosby's attorneys sent their own letter to the paper. Their letter called McKee's story "malicious" and criticized the Daily News for "publishing the stories of anyone who approaches your paper with accusations" regarding Cosby.

McKee, in turn, filed the defamation suit. Cosby filed a motion to dismiss it, and McKee appealed the decision. On Thursday, the U.S. Court of Appeals sided with Cosby and agreed the letter was not defamatory.

McKee had pursued a civil suit against Cosby because the statute of limitations prevented her - and many of Cosby's other accusers - from pursuing criminal charges.

Cosby's criminal trial in Montgomery County is slated to begin on April 2, 2018.

Image via Montgomery County District Attorney's Office