Cosby forced to hire new lawyers for assault re-trial

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‍Disgraced US entertainer Bill Cosby has been forced to hire a new legal team after a second top-flight attorney withdrew from his upcoming retrial for sexual assault.

Following Brian McMonagle, who quit earlier this month, Cosby's California-based co-counsel Angela Agrusa also filed a motion asking to be taking off the case.

The pair helped Cosby secure a hung jury in his trial for sexual assault in June.

Bill Cosby's former defense attorneys Angela Agrusa and Brian McMonagle arriving at the Montgomery County Courthouse in Norristown, Pennsylvania on June 14, 2017. /AFP Photo

Cosby's team have been left scouring for replacements and have petitioned the Pennsylvania judge presiding over the case to defer an August 22 hearing until at least September 11 to "finally secure his representation."

A spokesman on Wednesday confirmed that Cosby, 80, was currently without legal representation but said Agrusa would remain his civil attorney.

The pioneering African American actor and comedian is due to go back on trial in November for allegedly drugging and molesting a former university basketball official at his Philadelphia home in 2004.

Judge Steven O'Neill declared a mistrial in June when a jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict on three counts of aggravated indecent assault after more than 50 hours of deliberation in Norristown, Pennsylvania.

The deadlock was seen as a victory of sorts for Cosby who risked spending the rest of his life in prison if convicted.

Fans of American actor Bill Cosby cheer as he leaves the courthouse after a mistrial on the sixth day of jury deliberations at the Montgomery County Courthouse on June 17, 2017 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. /CFP Photo

But the trial irrevocably damaged the reputation of the former icon of US popular culture, loved by millions as "America's Dad" and best known for his seminal role as a father and obstetrician in hit TV comedy series, "The Cosby Show."

Around 60 women have publicly accused the Emmy-winning actor of being a serial sexual predator, but the trial was the only criminal case brought against Cosby as most of the alleged abuse happened too long ago to prosecute.

Source(s): AFP