One Cosby accuser can testify
In a major break for Bill Cosby, a judge ruled Friday that just one of the comedian’s multitude of other accusers can testify at his June trial to bolster charges he drugged and violated a woman more than a decade ago.
The 79-year-old TV star is accused of sexually assaulting former Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia home in 2004. Prosecutors wanted to put 13 more women on the stand to show that his alleged conduct was part of a distinct pattern of behavior.
Montgomery County, Pa., Judge Steven O’Neill disallowed all but one, saying he carefully weighed the possible value of their testimony against the potential prejudice to Cosby.
Richie-Carey tour postponed
Lionel Richie said he won’t recover from a knee procedure in time to launch his tour with Mariah Carey next month.
The singer said in a prepared statement Friday their tour will be postponed until summer. The 35-date trek was to launch March 15 and land in Cleveland on April 5.
Richie, 67, said he’s looking “forward to being back onstage so we can all be‘Dancing on the Ceiling together again.”
Tickets will be honored at the new dates, to be announced soon.
Robin Thicke’s trial closed
No public proceedings will be held in singer Robin Thicke’s trial focusing on a restraining order his ex-wife wants amid allegations he abused her and their son, a judge ruled Friday.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Roy Paul ruled the trial will start March 6 and be held behind closed doors as witnesses are questioned. He will decide whether to extend actress Paula Patton’s temporary restraining order for up to five years.
‘Stay high,’ Tommy Chong says
Tommy Chong has a message for those fearing a crackdown on recreational marijuana use: Don’t worry. Stay high.
Chong shot to fame in the 1970s alongside Cheech Marin as the stoner comedy duo Cheech & Chong.
After White House spokesman Sean Spicer said Thursday that the Department of Justice “will be further looking into” recreational pot use, Chong tweeted, “Of course Trump is going after legal marijuana but like the failed Muslim ban it will be defeated in court. Don’t worry stay High.”
Chong has a line of marijuana products on the market in states where pot is legal.