Deposition Transcript Shows Bill Cosby's Wife Refused to Answer Many Questions

Transcript shows Camille Cosby was subject to intense questioning

Bill Cosby's wife was deposed in Springfield, Massachusetts, in February, as part of a defamation lawsuit seven women filed against the comedian. 

A transcript of the exchange was released late Friday afternoon, but it doesn't offer much insight into Camille Cosby's state of mind, or her marriage. The deposition was testy, with Cosby refusing to answer many questions, even walking out at one point.

Seven women are suing comedian Bill Cosby, claiming he branded them liars after they accused him of sexually assaulting them decades ago. About 50 women have publicly accused Cosby of forcing unwanted sexual contact on them over the course of decades. Cosby has denied the allegations.

Their lawyer deposed Camille Cosby inside a Springfield hotel in February, but she frequently invoked spousal privilege, which legally protects communication between spouses.

"Now, can we agree that throughout your marriage, Mr. Cosby acted with a lack of integrity?" the accusers' lawyer, Joseph Cammarata, asked Camille Cosby.

"I am not answering that," she replied.

"And why not?" asked Cammarata.

"Because of the privilege of privacy," answered Cosby.

Time and again in the six-hour deposition, Cosby refused to answer dozens of questions in a combative back-and-forth about what she knew during her 52-year marriage to Bill Cosby.

Cammarata asked Camille Cosby if her husband used his power and standing "to manipulate young women." She did not answer.

When she was asked what honesty means, she said: "I'm not going to expound on this." When she was told she had to answer the question she said, "I do not have to. I'm done."

The Cosbys have a home in Shelburne Falls, an hour's drive from Springfield, where the lawsuit, seeking unspecified damages, was filed.

In addition to the defamation lawsuit and others, the 78-year-old comedian and actor faces a criminal case in Pennsylvania, where he is accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a woman in his home more than a decade ago. He has pleaded not guilty.

In the deposition, Camille Cosby said she never obtained Quaaludes for her own use or someone else's use.

A spokesman for the Cosbys declined to comment on her deposition.

A spokesman for the Cosbys declined to comment on her deposition.

Bill Cosby has been granted a delay for being deposed because of his pending criminal case.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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