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Case 1:20-cr-00330-PAE Document 310-1 Filed 07/02/21 Page 45 of 80
court... .” /d. (quoting 42 Pa.C.S. § 5947(b)). Because no such order existed here, the
Superior Court concluded that it could “ascertain no abuse of discretion in the trial court’s
determination that [Cosby] was not immune from prosecution, because Mr. Castor failed
to seek or obtain an immunity order pursuant to Section 5947.” /d. at 412. “Only a court
order conveying such immunity is legally binding in this Commonwealth.” /d.
The Superior Court further rejected Cosby’s invocation of promissory estoppel
asserting reliance upon D.A. Castors assurances, as demonstrated by Cosby’s
cooperation with Constand’s civil suit and his decision not to invoke the Fifth Amendment
during his deposition testimony. The panel opined that Cosby failed to cite sufficient
authority to establish that a prosecution may be barred under a promissory estoppel
theory. The panel further agreed with the trial court that, in any event, “it was not
reasonable for [Cosby] to rely on Mr. Castor’s promise, even if the trial court had found
credible the testimony provided by Mr. Castor and [Cosby’s] civil attorney,” Attorney
Schmitt. /d. The panel stated: “We cannot deem reasonable [Cosby’s] reliance on such
a promise when he was represented by counsel, especially when immunity can only be
granted by a court order, and where no court order granting him immunity existed.” /d. at
413.
The Superior Court further opined that there was “virtually no evidence in the
record that [Cosby] actually declined to assert his Fifth Amendment rights at the civil
deposition based on Mr. Castor’s purported promise not to prosecute.” /d. Although the
court noted that Attorney Schmitt was the only witness who could testify that Cosby
indeed relied upon Castor’s purported promise during his deposition (Attorney Schmitt
did so testify), it emphasized the Commonwealth’s argument that Attorney Schmitt
allowed Cosby to give a statement to the police during the initial investigation, that Cosby
did not incriminate himself at that point, that Attorney Schmitt further negotiated with the
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