Ex-Montgomery County DA Stands By Decision Not To File Criminal Charges Against Bill Cosby In 2005 Case
By David Spunt
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - He's known for his quick wit and comedic timing, but once again, Bill Cosby is facing rape allegations.
He avoided the topic on Sunday night in Erie, Pa. and has yet to make a statement, but it all started a few weeks ago in Philadelphia, when comedian Hannibal Buress called Cosby a rapist, igniting past allegations.
"I was surprised it got international legs," says former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor, who also says he has no regrets for the way he handled a potential rape case involving comedian Bill Cosby in 2005.
Castor, who is now in private practice, told Eyewitness News that he didn't have enough evidence to charge Cosby with rape.
"I certainly thought that he probably did something he shouldn't have, and I wasn't a fool. I knew if I arrested him I was going to become a very famous man, so I had a lot of incentive to want to go ahead," Castor told Eyewitness News on Monday.
Castor said the alleged victim, a former Temple University employee, waited a year to tell authorities about the alleged attack.
"Had she reported it in time, we could have checked her blood or her hair and nails -- if it was weeks that had gone by -- to see if she had anything in her system that didn't belong there. We could have done a forensic check on Cosby's house," he said.
The former Temple employee settled a civil suit with the comedian. Castor stands by his decision not to file criminal charges.
"I'm disappointed that we weren't able to go ahead, but I'm absolutely convinced that we made the right decision," he said.
Another alleged victim, Barbara Bowman, says Cosby raped her in the mid-1980s. She's been making the television rounds recently, but Eyewitness News talked to her in 2006.
"He put his forearm under my neck, and he tried to disrobe himself. I remember him fiddling around with his belt," she told Eyewitness News.
Cosby's attorneys have repeatedly denied any rape allegations. Appearances on David Letterman and Queen Latifah have been canceled.
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