 Bill Cosby denies the allegations against him |
Nine women due to testify that comic Bill Cosby drugged and molested them are seeking anonymity when the case comes to court. The women are to testify in a civil case brought by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by the actor.
Ralph Jacobs, representing one of the witnesses, said they should not pay the price of coming forward by being "swept into a publicity maelstrom".
Mr Cosby denied the sex assault claims but admitted he knew the woman.
He also acknowledged that he gave the woman over-the-counter pills after saying she had trouble sleeping when she was at his Philadelphia home in January 2004.
'Cloak of anonymity'
The women who are to testify in the case alleged they were subjected to similar behaviour as the accuser.
Mr Cosby's lawyers did not object to the anonymity request but were concerned it would enable the women to "speak to the press under the cloak of anonymity".
The five lawyers representing the nine women assured the judge they would not seek to do this.
US District Judge Eduardo Robreno did not say when he would issue a ruling on the request.
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