BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- Jerry Sandusky entered the Centre County Courthouse Friday as one of the most celebrated figures in the history of Penn State sports. He left a convicted child molester.
Following two days of jury deliberations, Sandusky was found guilty Friday of molesting several young boys.
The 68-year-old could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Sandusky was convicted of 45 of 48 criminal counts related to the alleged assault of 10 boys over a 15-year period. The allegations led to the ouster of the late Penn State University president and long-time coach Joe Paterno, who died in January.
Prosecutors said Sandusky was a "predatory pedophile" and a "sick, disturbed man," who targeted "the most vulnerable kids, kids in need."
Defense lawyer Joe Amendola said Sandusky was the victim of a grand conspiracy and that prosecutors provided no physical evidence to prove he had molested anyone. Because of the allegations, "everything [Jerry Sandusky] ever loved, everything he's ever built, and everything he's ever stood for -- it's gone," Amendola said.
Sandusky did not testify on his own behalf, but his wife, Dottie Sandusky, did take the stand. She said she never witnessed any inappropriate contact between her husband and the young boys.
The case has attracted widespread media coverage, as Sandusky was one of the most notable assistant football coaches in the country and the founder of The Second Mile, a nonprofit charity for underprivileged and at-risk youth.
Crime expert Scott A. Bonn, an assistant professor of sociology at Drew University, called the decision "a certainty."
"This case shocked the nation, violated our collective sense of morality and demonstrated that our children may not be safe from sexual predators after all,” Bonn said. “The jury had a moral obligation to society to convict Sandusky, and the only verdict that could restore public trust and equilibrium is guilty. I would have been shocked by any other verdict.”
Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky arrives at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., Friday, June 22, 2012. Sandusky is accused of sexual abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Update June 24, 2012:
Convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky had a surprise waiting for him when he was sent to jail the first time, reports Andrew Strickler of The Daily.
As soon as the lights went out at night, Sandusky's fellow inmates at the Centre County Correctional Facility serenaded him with a chorus from Pink Floyd's "The Wall":
"Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone!"
Similar humiliations are expected to continue now that Sandusky is back in jail having been convicted of the crimes.
Jerry Sandusky is currently on suicide watch. He'll be sentenced in 90 days.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jail-inmates-serenaded-sandusky-with-hey-teacher-leave-those-kids-alone-2012-6#ixzz1ypS0WeVQ
Following two days of jury deliberations, Sandusky was found guilty Friday of molesting several young boys.
The 68-year-old could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Sandusky was convicted of 45 of 48 criminal counts related to the alleged assault of 10 boys over a 15-year period. The allegations led to the ouster of the late Penn State University president and long-time coach Joe Paterno, who died in January.
Prosecutors said Sandusky was a "predatory pedophile" and a "sick, disturbed man," who targeted "the most vulnerable kids, kids in need."
Defense lawyer Joe Amendola said Sandusky was the victim of a grand conspiracy and that prosecutors provided no physical evidence to prove he had molested anyone. Because of the allegations, "everything [Jerry Sandusky] ever loved, everything he's ever built, and everything he's ever stood for -- it's gone," Amendola said.
Sandusky did not testify on his own behalf, but his wife, Dottie Sandusky, did take the stand. She said she never witnessed any inappropriate contact between her husband and the young boys.
The case has attracted widespread media coverage, as Sandusky was one of the most notable assistant football coaches in the country and the founder of The Second Mile, a nonprofit charity for underprivileged and at-risk youth.
Crime expert Scott A. Bonn, an assistant professor of sociology at Drew University, called the decision "a certainty."
"This case shocked the nation, violated our collective sense of morality and demonstrated that our children may not be safe from sexual predators after all,” Bonn said. “The jury had a moral obligation to society to convict Sandusky, and the only verdict that could restore public trust and equilibrium is guilty. I would have been shocked by any other verdict.”
Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky arrives at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., Friday, June 22, 2012. Sandusky is accused of sexual abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
During Press conference with Sandusky's lawyer's the crowd boo'd him as he tried to make the after case that his client was Innocent! However, the crowd cheered wildly as Sandusky's lawyer stated that, "Jerry is actually being given a life term, cause we are dealing with 60 years." June 22 2012
Update June 24, 2012:
Convicted child molester Jerry Sandusky had a surprise waiting for him when he was sent to jail the first time, reports Andrew Strickler of The Daily.
As soon as the lights went out at night, Sandusky's fellow inmates at the Centre County Correctional Facility serenaded him with a chorus from Pink Floyd's "The Wall":
"Hey, teacher, leave those kids alone!"
Similar humiliations are expected to continue now that Sandusky is back in jail having been convicted of the crimes.
Jerry Sandusky is currently on suicide watch. He'll be sentenced in 90 days.
Read more: http://www.businessinsider.com/jail-inmates-serenaded-sandusky-with-hey-teacher-leave-those-kids-alone-2012-6#ixzz1ypS0WeVQ
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