Cosby Seeks Postponement In Defamation Case

The latest on a hearing over whether materials gathered in a defamation lawsuit filed by seven women against Bill Cosby can be kept out of the public eye (all times local):

10:55 a.m.

A lawyer for Bill Cosby has told a federal court he is considering asking for a postponement in the civil defamation case in Massachusetts in light of the criminal charges the comedian now faces in Pennsylvania.

Marshall Searcy said at Wednesday's hearing in Worcester that the "new situation" has left the defense trying to decide on the best approach to move forward. The hearing was the first in Massachusetts since Cosby was charged Dec. 30 with sexually assaulting and drugging a woman inside his home near Philadelphia in 2004.

A lawyer for the seven women suing Cosby argued that Cosby's scheduled Feb. 22 deposition in the civil case should move forward.

Magistrate David Hennessey didn't immediately rule. He postponed the deposition of Cosby's wife, Camille, that was scheduled this month.

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8 a.m.

Bill Cosby's lawyers want materials gathered in a civil defamation lawsuit filed by seven women who claim Cosby sexually assaulted them decades ago kept out of the public eye.

A federal magistrate in Massachusetts will hear arguments Wednesday on a confidentiality agreement proposed by lawyers for Cosby, who denies the allegations.

It calls for documents produced during the pre-trial discovery phase to remain confidential for 14 days. Either side could then request the records be sealed longer. The records would remain sealed until the judge decides on the extension.

Cosby's lawyers say the plaintiffs have sought "invasive and intimate details" about the actor's medical and sexual history.

Lawyers for the women say they have valid reasons for the requests and that sealing documents would violate the public's right to transparent judicial proceedings.

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