SPRINGFIELD: A US federal judge has agreed to postpone the deposition of Bill Cosby’s wife in a Massachusetts lawsuit that accuses the comedian of defaming several women.

Camille Cosby had been scheduled to be deposed on January 6 by lawyers for the women who said Cosby sexually assaulted them decades ago.

Last week, US Magistrate Judge David Hennessey denied a motion by Camille’s lawyers to throw out the subpoena. She appealed and on January 4 asked Hennessey to delay the deposition until the appeal is heard.

The judge agreed on January 5 to the postponement, saying it would be unfair to deny Camille her right to appeal. He says if the appeal is denied, the deposition should be rescheduled quickly.

The women’s lawyer says he expects he will eventually be allowed to question her.