Bill Cosby — Disturbing New Claim In Underage Rape Case

A desperate Bill Cosby has tried a shocking new tactic in dismissing a lawsuit over a rape charge from the '70s — as his lawyers say the alleged victim missed her chance to file charges!

Thanks to the statute of limitations, the creepy comic has been able to avoid criminal charges from nearly all of the women who've said that he drugged and raped them during the course of his long career.

Judy Huth was only 15 years old when Cosby allegedly molested her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974. In California, however, the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse begins to run from the date that a victim “discovers” her injury.

Judy is now suing Cosby for damages related to her alleged sexual assault, based on "delayed discovery" of the aftereffects of the traumatic event. The lawsuit says: "This traumatic incident, at such a tender age, has caused psychological damage and mental anguish for the plaintiff that has caused her significant problems throughout her life."

The comic's lawyers, however, are saying that Judy waited too long between realizing the damage caused by the "traumatic incident" and filing the lawsuit.

Cosby has already fought to have the California case held up until his current criminal case in Philadelphia is resolved. In that case, criminal charges were filed for Cosby's alleged 2004 rape of Andrea Constand after a crusading DA ran for election while promising to prosecute the once-beloved entertainer.

Judge Craig Karlan didn't immediately rule on the appeal — but hinted that he didn't believe that any changes to Judy's testimony affected the statute of limitations.

"This was yet another desperate attempt by Mr. Cosby to derail our case and avoid having to face our client Ms. Huth in a court of law," lawyer Gloria Allred said after the hearing. "All Ms. Huth has ever wanted is the opportunity to present her case to a jury. All Mr. Cosby has ever wanted was to avoid having to face a jury!" Cosby, 78, claims that he never molested Judy.