Bill Cosby will not be allowed to question his accuser in court before his sexual-assault case goes to trial near Philadelphia.

The 79-year-old comedian's lawyers lost their appeal on the issue of whether accuser Andrea Constand should have been forced to testify at a preliminary hearing last year.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday declined to take up Cosby's appeal.

Pennsylvania case law allows prosecutors to use an accuser's statements to police in court to spare victims the ordeal of having to testify repeatedly.

Cosby is charged with drugging and molesting Constand in 2004. He has pleaded not guilty and remains free on $1 million bail.

Jury selection will begin next month.

The Associated Press contribited to this report.