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Jerry Sandusky is currently locked up in the Centre County Correctional Facility. He will appeal the conviction.

Sandusky Sentencing Date Set

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Jerry Sandusky was convicted on 45 of 48 counts of child sex abuse in late June.  Today, nearly three months later, Specially Presiding Judge John Cleland has scheduled a 9am hearing on October 9th to determine whether Sandusky is a sexually violent predator.  Immediately following that hearing, Sandusky will be sentenced at the Centre County Courthouse.  Given the number of counts and the seriousness of the crimes, it is expected that the 68-year-old Sandusky will spend the rest of his life behind bars.   Since his conviction, Sandusky has maintained his innocence from inside the county lockup.

Voices for Victims Delivers Letters, Still Collecting Messages

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Voices for Victims

You can link to the Voices for Victims Facebook page below.

A student-led campaign is delivering letters of support to the alleged victims in the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal.  “Many of us have not forgotten about them, many of us do care,” says Voices for Victims project leader Matt Bodenschatz, who believes the alleged victims should not be lost in the scandal just because they are anonymous. 

“If you think about it, in today’s world we rarely send letters to our friends, let alone to take that action out of empathy and support and thanks from thousands of miles away,” Bodenschatz explains.  The letters the campaign’s already received have come from as nearby as the Penn State campus to as far away as Croatia. 

Bodenschatz has already delivered scores of letters to the attorneys for the alleged victims, but stresses their work is not done.  As a victim of child sex abuse himself, Bodenschatz tells Radio PA that a heartfelt message can have a profound impact.  “When I held it in my hands… tears were brought to my own eyes.” 

Voices for Victims has taken down the drop boxes they had placed around the campus and town, but are still accepting correspondence electronically and through the US Mail.  With the trial looming, they believe the alleged victims will be in need of another showing of support. 

Bodenschatz is often asked for advice on what to write.  “Really what people are often looking for is reassurance that what is coming from your heart is so very, very likely the right thing.” 

Sandusky’s trial on 52-counts of alleged abuse is currently scheduled to begin next month.  He has denied any criminal wrongdoing.

Few Issues Resolved at Brief Hearing

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Joe Amendola

Joe Amendola

All the major pre-trial issues remain in play, as Jerry Sandusky’s defense lawyer will argue for the charges to be thrown out at a later date.  “Those motions and those issues are still very much at issue here in the case,” attorney Joe Amendola told the media following a brief hearing in Centre County Court. 

State prosecutor Joe McGettigan suggests that the defense team’s pre-trial tactics have been lengthy and pointless.  But Amendola responds that, “If the Commonwealth had been more specific, we probably wouldn’t be here today.” 

Joe McGettigan

Amendola wants many of the charges thrown out based on a lack of specifics from the Commonwealth.  It’s a notion that state prosecutor Joe McGettigan steadfastly denies.  “We have provided voluminous specificity as to the acts with which he is charged,” McGettigan told the mass of reporters who gathered at the courthouse in Bellefonte.    

A few of Jerry Sandusky’s pre-trial motions were withdrawn on Thursday, including a request to suppress statements Sandusky made to authorities in 1998 and a request to suppress intercepted phone conversations Sandusky had with two of the alleged victims.  Amendola tells reporters that both pieces of evidence will actually help the defense at trial.    

The 68-year-old Jerry Sandusky – a once iconic assistant football coach at Penn State – remains on house arrest following his November arrest on 52-counts of child sex abuse. 

Amendola says his client’s spirits are high, and Sandusky looks forward to spending the Easter holiday with most of his family.  McGettigan says the Commonwealth looks forward to the victims getting their day in court. 

Right now it looks that that will happen in early summer, as jury selection is slated to begin on June 5th.

PSU Partners with PCAR, More Scrutiny

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Penn State will tap its share of this year’s Big Ten bowl revenues to fund a new partnership with the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape.  PSU has committed $1.5-million dollars for the partnership, which will focus on everything from professional development for employees to developing research on child sexual abuse.  “Our own experience shows that child sexual abuse greatly impacts individuals and entire communities,” university president Rodney Erickson said in a statement.  “It is now our responsibility to assist in raising awareness and in helping fight this insidious and often secret crime.” 

PCAR reached out to Penn State almost immediately after the news of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal broke.  PCAR CEO Delilah Rumburg is pleased with the new partnership.  “It shows strength to take a tragic situation and turn it into an opportunity to grow and learn,” she says. 

News of the new partnership comes amid continued scrutiny of Penn State.  Auditor General Jack Wagner, Wednesday, said he wants to ensure that taxpayer dollars aren’t used in the defense of any individuals charged in the sex abuse scandal:WAGNER4

 

Legislative Panel May Investigate Child Abuse Laws

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In the wake of the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal at Penn State, many lawmakers are calling for revisions to the state’s child abuse statutes.  There was talk on the House floor Thursday night of a forthcoming joint resolution that would create a bipartisan, bicameral panel to investigate which laws need strengthened and how.

“I’ve had conversations with the Governor, members of his administration, House leaders and Senate Democratic leaders about the bipartisan, bicameral approach to addressing the issues raised by the Penn State child abuse indictments,” Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi said in a statement.  “I am committed to a thoughtful process that produces stronger protections for children across the state.”    

House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) released the following statement: “This commission will only succeed if it is truly independent and impartial.  In addition to the Judiciary Committee chairmen, it should include the chairs of the Children and Youth Committee.  The non-legislative members must not be involved in conducting the current criminal investigation, nor should the commission include anyone who was part of that investigation at any earlier point.  The commission needs the ability to subpoena witnesses so that it is empowered to find the truth.”

Earlier in the week, Governor Tom Corbett encouraged a “dispassionate” legislative response.  “I think we now have time to take a good look at this to take our time and do it right,” Corbett told a gaggle of reporters. 

Penn State and Nebraska players gathered in prayer prior to last Saturday's football game.

Interim Coach Addresses Media

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Barely 12-hours after the Penn State Board of Trustees ousted football coach Joe Paterno, his replacement was thrust into the media spotlight.  Interim coach Tom Bradley says he takes the job with mixed emotions.  “I grieve for the victims, I grieve for the families,” Bradley said as he made note of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal that has rocked the entire PSU community.  “I think you should know where our team is toward this whole issue, it’s toward those children, toward their families.  Our thoughts and our prayers are with them.” 

Bradley played for Penn State in the late 1970s, and had served on Joe Paterno’s staff ever since.  As a defensive coach he used to work under Jerry Sandusky, but Bradley declined to comment on that relationship due to the ongoing investigation. 

Bradley did say that Joe Paterno has meant more to him than any person besides his own father:  tombradley-joepa

Penn State has three more games on the 2011 schedule, and is still in the running to play in the first Big Ten Championship Game on December 3rd.  This Saturday’s contest against Nebraska is the final home game of the season.

Paterno Fired, Spanier Out

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It took just five days for the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal to rock Penn State University to its core.  Just after 10 o’clock Wednesday night, the announcement came that Graham Spanier was out as PSU president and Joe Paterno was relieved of his duties as head football coach.  “These decisions were made after careful deliberations and in the best interests of the university as a whole,” said Board of Trustees Vice Chairman John Surma. 

In a statement, Spanier called it an honor to serve Penn State for 16 years as president.  Spanier says he was stunned to learn that any predatory act might have occurred in a university facility.  “The acts of no one person should define this university.  Penn State is defined by the traditions, loyalty and integrity of hundreds of thousands of students, alumni and employees,” the statement continued.

Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno

84-year-old Coach Joe Paterno had been at Penn State for 61-years.  In his 46-years as head coach, he racked up 409-victories, more than any other coach in Division I college football history.  Paterno’s complete statement reads:

“I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case.  I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.

I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.

That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.

This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life.  With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.

My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.”

The Penn State Board of Trustees has named Dr. Rodney Erickson as the interim president.  Erickson previously served as vice president and provost.  Long-time Paterno assistant coach Tom Bradley has been named interim head football coach.  The Penn State football team plays host to Nebraska this Saturday.  It is their final home game of the season.

Paterno to Retire, Corbett to Address PSU Board

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Joe Paterno

Joe Paterno

His 46th season at the helm of the Penn State football program will be Joe Paterno’s last.  The 84-year-old, Hall of Fame coach released this statement today:

I am absolutely devastated by the developments in this case.  I grieve for the children and their families, and I pray for their comfort and relief.  I have come to work every day for the last 61 years with one clear goal in mind: To serve the best interests of this university and the young men who have been entrusted to my care. I have the same goal today.

That’s why I have decided to announce my retirement effective at the end of this season. At this moment the Board of Trustees should not spend a single minute discussing my status. They have far more important matters to address. I want to make this as easy for them as I possibly can.

This is a tragedy. It is one of the great sorrows of my life.  With the benefit of hindsight, I wish I had done more.  My goals now are to keep my commitments to my players and staff and finish the season with dignity and determination. And then I will spend the rest of my life doing everything I can to help this University.

The news broke as Governor Tom Corbett was wrapping up a news conference at which he signed a new texting while driving ban in the Keystone State.  On the way out the door, Corbett said it was unfortunate this is happening under the cloud of the Sandusky sex abuse scandal. 

Gov. Corbett is in a unique position in that he was Attorney General at the time the grand jury investigation began in 2009.  As governor, he’s currently a key player on the Penn State Board of Trustees.  While Corbett is withholding many of his thoughts on the details of the investigation until after he’s had the chance to address the board at Friday’s regularly scheduled meeting, he does say they must act swiftly and firmly.  “Penn State’s a great university, we know that,” Corbett explains.  “Something not very good happened.  We have to maintain that they’re a great university and take the bull by the horn, and fix it.” 

Corbett was responsible for implementing the Child Predator Unit in the Attorney General’s Office, and he did not mince words when talking about child sex abuse on Wednesday.  “He who preys on a child is the worst type of person in the world as far as I am concerned.” 

Gov. Tom Corbett

Gov. Corbett talks to the media about Penn State and Joe Paterno.

Advocates Hope Scandal Serves as Wake-up Call

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One-time Penn State coaching icon Jerry Sandusky is accused of sexually assaulting young boys for more than a decade, and two university officials are charged with perjury and failure to report.  Head coach Joe Paterno’s weekly news conference was canceled on Tuesday, only fueling the speculation that he could be removed from the post he’s held for 46 years.

Pennsylvania Family Support Alliance Director of Training Tina Phillips was shocked and horrified when she first learned of the scandal.  “My heart goes out to the victims and their families,” she says, adding that that anyone can report the suspicion of child abuse.  “To do so all you need to do is contact ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313,they’re there 24-hours a day, seven days a week.”    

The Penn State Board of Trustees has already announced its intention to form a task force to review the university’s policies and procedures concerning the safety of children.  The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape has already reached out to PSU to offer its assistance and expertise.  “it’s just critical that they have the experts of child sexual abuse at the table when that is formed,” says PCAR CEO Delilah Rumburg.  “I hope that the good that comes from this is that it is a wake-up call to every adult in communities throughout the commonwealth, or anywhere else, that we have the responsibility to protect our children.”

Paterno’s Weekly News Conference Nixed

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Roughly an hour before Coach Joe Paterno’s weekly news conference was to begin, word came down that the plug had been pulled.  This comes as news media from far and wide raise questions in the wake of the sex abuse scandal surrounding former PSU coaching icon Jerry Sandusky.  Paterno also missed Tuesday afternoon’s Big Ten coaches’ teleconference. 

The statement from Penn State Athletics read: “Due to the on-going legal circumstances centered around the recent allegations and charges, we have determined that today’s press conference cannot be held and will not be re-scheduled.”

An earlier advisory from Penn State Athletics read: “Media planning to attend Tuesday’s Penn State Football weekly teleconference are advised that that primary focus of the teleconference is to answer questions related to Penn State’s Senior Day game with Nebraska this Saturday. Head coach Joe Paterno and any Penn State Football student-athletes in attendance will be answering questions about the Nebraska game, Penn State’s season thus far and other topics related to the current college football season.”

Word of Penn State’s woes has even spread to the White House.  During a stop in suburban Philadelphia on Tuesday, President Barack Obama began his comments with an indirect reference to the PSU football program.  “I was told not to mention football at all,” Obama said amid some laughter and a few groans from the audience.  “So I’m not going to say anything about football while I’m here, because I know this is a sensitive subject.”    

While the 84-year-old Joe Paterno is not a target in the ongoing grand jury probe of Jerry Sandusky’s sex abuse allegations, speculation of Paterno’s ouster has already begun.  Just last month, Paterno became the winningest coach in Division I college football history.  He’s been leading the renowned Penn State football program for 46 years.