Video Transcript:
Female: … in the sexual abuse allegations surrounding comedian Bill Cosby. Two new accusers have come forward today, along with attorney Gloria Allred, claiming Cosby sexually assaulted them in the 1970’s and ’80s. Allred vowed to fight for justice for those women.
Keith Jones: And this comes just after a Southern California woman filed a lawsuit against Bill Cosby. The woman claims that Cosby molested her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974 when she was just 15 years old. Judy Huth is the first accuser to claim that she was underage. So far, Cosby has not responded to this latest allegation. Let’s take a closer look though now at this new lawsuit and a proposal from attorney Gloria Allred. NBC 10’s Legal Analyst, Enrique Latoison, joins us now for some insight here. Enrique, thank you for joining us. So far, what we’ve heard is that the Statute of Limitations has prevented many of Cosby’s other accusers from taking action. What makes this case different?
Enrique Latoison: Well, they have to show that whenever this injury that she suffers, an emotional injury and the trauma that she’s suffering from the alleged sexual abuse, that she just now realized within the last three years that the emotional injury was because of the molestation or the sexual abuse that took place 30 to 40 years ago. So, if you follow that carefully, what that means is, even though you’re aware of the fact that you were sexually abused allegedly 30 to 40 years ago, it was only within the last three years that you realized that the emotional trauma and the pain that you are feeling today was because of what took place 30 to 40 years ago. If you can show that, it’s within the three years of Statute of Limitations.
Keith Jones: Alright. Now, to Gloria Allred’s request. She asked Cosby to waive the Statute of Limitations, which would open the door then for lawsuits from these other accusers. One, is that legal? And, two, what would compel Cosby to do this?
Enrique Latoison: Well, it’s legal. I mean, if you want to allow yourself to be sued, if you want to give up your claim of your right to defend yourself, you can. No attorney would ever suggest to Mr. Cosby, hey, allow yourself to be sued even though you legally have a right not to be sued. You legally have a right to give up this defense. No one would tell that. This is the chance for Mr. Cosby finally to defend himself. He is being accused of all these crimes, and people are coming out of everywhere, and now you have people coming out from 30, 40 years ago accusing him of stuff. This is the chance he’s finally going to be able to be in a court of law to be able to defend himself, to have his day in court. No one would recommend that he give up that right or give up his right to just allow himself to be openly sued by anybody that’s going to come out and accuse him.
Keith Jones: And so many more developments expected in this story. NBC 10 Legal Analyst Enrique Latoison, always good to see you. Thank you for joining us.
Enrique Latoison: Thank you.
Video Transcript:
Female: … in the sexual abuse allegations surrounding comedian Bill Cosby. Two new accusers have come forward today, along with attorney Gloria Allred, claiming Cosby sexually assaulted them in the 1970’s and ’80s. Allred vowed to fight for justice for those women.
Keith Jones: And this comes just after a Southern California woman filed a lawsuit against Bill Cosby. The woman claims that Cosby molested her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974 when she was just 15 years old. Judy Huth is the first accuser to claim that she was underage. So far, Cosby has not responded to this latest allegation. Let’s take a closer look though now at this new lawsuit and a proposal from attorney Gloria Allred. NBC 10’s Legal Analyst, Enrique Latoison, joins us now for some insight here. Enrique, thank you for joining us. So far, what we’ve heard is that the Statute of Limitations has prevented many of Cosby’s other accusers from taking action. What makes this case different?
Enrique Latoison: Well, they have to show that whenever this injury that she suffers, an emotional injury and the trauma that she’s suffering from the alleged sexual abuse, that she just now realized within the last three years that the emotional injury was because of the molestation or the sexual abuse that took place 30 to 40 years ago. So, if you follow that carefully, what that means is, even though you’re aware of the fact that you were sexually abused allegedly 30 to 40 years ago, it was only within the last three years that you realized that the emotional trauma and the pain that you are feeling today was because of what took place 30 to 40 years ago. If you can show that, it’s within the three years of Statute of Limitations.
Keith Jones: Alright. Now, to Gloria Allred’s request. She asked Cosby to waive the Statute of Limitations, which would open the door then for lawsuits from these other accusers. One, is that legal? And, two, what would compel Cosby to do this?
Enrique Latoison: Well, it’s legal. I mean, if you want to allow yourself to be sued, if you want to give up your claim of your right to defend yourself, you can. No attorney would ever suggest to Mr. Cosby, hey, allow yourself to be sued even though you legally have a right not to be sued. You legally have a right to give up this defense. No one would tell that. This is the chance for Mr. Cosby finally to defend himself. He is being accused of all these crimes, and people are coming out of everywhere, and now you have people coming out from 30, 40 years ago accusing him of stuff. This is the chance he’s finally going to be able to be in a court of law to be able to defend himself, to have his day in court. No one would recommend that he give up that right or give up his right to just allow himself to be openly sued by anybody that’s going to come out and accuse him.
Keith Jones: And so many more developments expected in this story. NBC 10 Legal Analyst Enrique Latoison, always good to see you. Thank you for joining us.
Enrique Latoison: Thank you.