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Extracted Text (OCR)
Case 1:20-cr-00330-PAE Document 310-1 Filed 07/02/21 Page 44 of 80
use of the same with the [prior bad acts] witnesses, were essential to resolving the
otherwise he-said-she-said nature of [Constand’s] allegations.” /d. The Superior Court
added that the trial court did not err in determining that the probative value of this evidence
outweighed its potential for unfair prejudice, inasmuch as, “in a vacuum, Cosby’s use and
distribution of a then-legal ‘party drug’ nearly half a century ago did not appear highly
prejudicial,” and “only becomes significantly prejudicial, and fairly so, when, in the context
of other evidence, it establishes Cosby’s knowledge of and familiarity with central nervous
system depressants for purposes of demonstrating that he was at least reckless” in giving
Constand such a drug before having sexual contact with her. /d. at 420-21 (emphasis in
original) (cleaned up). The court added that any potential for unfair prejudice was
mitigated substantially by the court’s cautionary instructions, and that, accordingly, there
was no error in the admission of this evidence. /d. at 421.
Turning to Cosby’s claims relating to the enforceability of the non-prosecution or
immunity decision rendered by then-District Attorney Castor, the Superior Court viewed
this as a challenge to the denial of a motion to quash a criminal complaint, which would
be evaluated under an abuse-of-discretion standard. /d. at 410. Like the trial court, the
panel found no “authority suggesting that a district attorney ‘may unilaterally confer
transactional immunity through a declaration as the sovereign.” /d. at 411 (quoting
T.C.O. at 62). Therefore, the court opined, “it is clear on the face of the record that the
trial court did not abuse its discretion in determining that there was no enforceable non-
prosecution agreement in this case.” /d. The court added: “Even assuming Mr. Castor
promised not to prosecute [Cosby], only a court order can convey such immunity. Such
promises exist only as exercises of prosecutorial discretion, and may be revoked at any
time.” /d. The court discussed the immunity statute and observed that it provides that “a
district attorney may request an immunity order from any judge of a designated
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