WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court refused Monday to review the Pennsylvania state court ruling that overturned the criminal sex-abuse convictions against comedian Bill Cosby on the grounds that he may have been wrongly induced to admit his guilt.
The high court’s no-comment decision was expected since the Pennsylvania judges relied in part on their understanding of state law. The justices review rulings based on the U.S. Constitution and federal law but not state decisions based on state law.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling did not question the evidence from multiple women who said Cosby had drugged them to obtain sex. Instead, it said the comedian agreed to testify in a civil suit after he had been assured he would not face prosecution. When questioned under oath, he admitted to drugging women in the past.
