-
Jerry Sandusky, who had become a hometown hero as both a coach of Penn State’s football
team and as a champion for under-privileged boys, was found guilty Friday night of 45 out
of 48 child sex abuse counts.
In a case that shocked not just Pennsylvania but the nation, the 68-year old Sandusky was
found guilty of abusing 10 young boys over 15 years, many of whom were the same children
he purported to help. The case shamed Penn State University, as former athletic director
Tim Curley and school vice president Gary Schultz are accused of lying to a grand jury about
allegations against Sandusky. And legendary head coach Joe Paterno, long revered for his
high moral standard, was fired last year after a key witness said Paterno was told of the abuse,
too. He died only months after being fired. The jury in Bellefonte, Pa., delivered its verdict
shortly after 10 p.m, spending only two days deliberating the sometimes graphic and emo-
tional testimony from his victims.The victims told of being friended by Sandusky through his
Second Mile Charity, and then being violated in his home, in hotel rooms and even in the
Penn State locker rooms. Sandusky showed no emotion as the verdict was read. His bail was
revoked and he was led out of the courthouse in handcuffs. He likely will spend the rest of
his life in jail. Sandusky had repeatedly denied the allegations against him. The defense
portrayed him as the hapless victim of a conspiracy to convict him of heinous crimes. They
explained the 48 charges against him as the result of an investigatory team out for blood
and accusers who willingly played along in hopes of securing a big payday. Sandusky could
face additional criminal charges involving accusers who came forward after his November
arrest. The attorney general’s office has said repeatedly that it has an “active and ongoing”
investigation of Sandusky, while federal prosecutors in Harrisburg issued a wide-ranging
subpoena in February for university computer records and other information. Civil lawsuits
also are likely against Sandusky, his Second Mile charity and Penn State.
