Judge rules on jury questions in Cosby case
A judge this week ruled on a key issue regarding the upcoming trial of comedian Bill Cosby, who stands accused of sexually assaulting a lesbian.
On Monday, Judge Steven O’Neill decided that the June trial will not be moved out of Montgomery County. Cosby’s defense attorneys had submitted the change-of-venue request, arguing that the intense media scrutiny has biased local jurors. While the proceeding will take place in Norristown, the county seat, prosecutors agreed with the defense request that jurors be drawn from outside of the county. They will also be sequestered during the trial.
Cosby, 79, is charged with the 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constad, a former employee of Temple University, at his Elkins Park home. Constad is one of dozens of women who contend Cosby assaulted them over the last several decades, but hers is the only case in which criminal charges were filed.
Prosecutors sought to have more than a dozen of Cosby’s accusers testify during the upcoming trial, but O’Neill ruled last month that only one will be permitted to take the stand.
— Jen Colletta
Applications open for 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award
A local organization for LGBT professionals is accepting applications for an annual business award.
PNC Bank will sponsor the Independence Business Alliance’s 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award. The program provides a $10,000 award to an IBA member with a business-level membership or higher.
Among other qualifications, IBA is looking for a member that “demonstrates a well-defined plan for growth, including innovation, sustainability and ongoing contribution to the community.” Interested businesses must submit applications, two letters of recommendation and a mini plan by 5 p.m. April 14. Visit www.thinkiba.com/programs/pnc-bank-lgbt-business-award for more information and a link to the full application.
The 2017 PNC LGBT Business Award will be presented at IBA10: 10th Anniversary Celebration 6 p.m. May 10 at the The Downtown Club, 600 Chestnut St.
— Jeremy Rodriguez