Wife Heads to Trial With Cosby for First Time

Bill Cosby arrived at court Monday morning for Day 6 of his sexual assault trial and the start of the defense side of the case, accompanied by his wife of 53 years, Camille. Camille Cosby's arrival marked the first time during the trial of the comedian once known as America's Dad that a family member was at his side, reports the AP. The couple have four daughters. The prosecution rested its case Friday after five swift days of testimony in the case that could send the 79-year-old Cosby to prison for the rest of his life, and the question now hanging over the case is whether the TV star will testify. Cosby's spokesman said last week that the comic might take the stand, but his lawyers were mum.

Cosby could charm jurors by testifying. But experts said the legal risks would be considerable. "He could be a fantastic witness. ... He's an actor and he's a very good actor," says Duquesne University School of Law professor Wes Oliver. But "he is potentially opening the door to a whole lot of cross-examination that they fought really hard to keep out." And that's not all: Prosecutors wanted 13 other accusers to testify at the trial, but the judge allowed just one. If Cosby testifies, and denies drugging and molesting accuser Andrea Constand or anyone else, the judge might allow more accusers to testify as rebuttal witnesses. The trial would move to closing arguments on Monday if the defense decided not to put anyone on the stand. (The judge rejected the Cosby team's strategy on Constand.)