This Oct. 26, 2009 file photo, comedian Bill Cosby, left, and his wife Camille appear at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts before Bill Cosby received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in Washington. (Jacquelyn Martin / AP)

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (AP) — A 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 Wednesday by lawyers for the women who said Bill Cosby sexually assaulted them decades ago.

Last week, U.S. Magistrate Judge David Hennessey denied a motion by Camille Cosby’s lawyers to throw out the subpoena.

She appealed and on Monday asked Hennessey to delay the deposition until the appeal is heard.

The judge agreed Tuesday to the postponement, saying it would be unfair to deny Camille Cosby 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.