Judge dismisses Smokey Robinson's defamation claim against rape accusers

A US judge has dismissed veteran singer Smokey Robinson's defamation claim against four former housekeepers who have accused him of sexual assault. The women sued the Motown star, 86, last year for sexual battery, false imprisonment, negligence and gender violence, and police opened an investigation. He denied the "vile, false allegations" and filed a $500m (£370m) countersuit, claiming he was defamed by the women and their lawyers calling him a "serial and sick rapist" at a press conference. On Thursday, the judge ruled there wasn't sufficient "clear and convincing" evidence that the women made the accusation with "actual malice", as is required when a public figure is suing for defamation in California. To prove "actual malice", a figure must show that the person who made the statement knew it was false or had serious doubts that it was true. Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Kevin Brazile said there was some "evidence supporting the Robinsons", but "the evidence of actual malice does not approach the clear and convincing standard". Although he ended the defamation claim, the judge did not dismiss Robinson's countersuit completely, allowing other elements to continue, including em