NEW CASTLE —
Here are a few observations regarding the Jerry Sandusky trial:
•We think the prosecution deserves praise for presenting a case that provided details, but didn’t overwhelm the jury. The only thing worse than sitting on a jury and hearing a case involving multiple victims of sexual abuse is having that trial and testimony extend for weeks.
The case against Sandusky, a former Penn State University assistant football coach, had the potential to go on interminably, with expert witnesses angling for advantage.
Instead, the case was pared down to the basics, with testimony from the victims and a few eyewitnesses. In the end, this is all the jurors really needed.
Sometimes, prosecutors develop a “kitchen-sink” approach to criminal trials, hoping that if they throw everything they have at a defendant, something will stick. But this tactic may confuse and frustrate jurors. Keep it simple is good general advice both inside and outside a courtroom.
•Prior to the trial, there were considerable concerns about a jury selected from Centre County. Sandusky’s attorneys believed their client would get a better reception from a local panel.
But if these jurors had any sympathy for Sandusky, it was hard to spot.
From what we can tell, the jurors did their jobs. They dutifully went about the task of reviewing the evidence and discussing the charges, coming up with a verdict after an appropriate degree of deliberation.
This was a difficult case for jurors to hear, not only because of the types of charges involved, but also because of how it impacted the local community. This jury acted admirably under trying circumstances.
•Last week’s verdict marked the end of a major part of the Sandusky saga. However, there is much to come.
Sandusky must be sentenced. There also will be an appeal, but it’s difficult to envision a court overturning this verdict.
Meanwhile, the prosecutions continue. Sandusky may face additional charges, while at least two people affiliated with Penn State are to be tried on allegations they failed to act on information related to Sandusky’s conduct. A probe of these and other matters is ongoing, so more people may be charged as well.
And, of course, Penn State faces multiple civil suits from Sandusky’s victims. The university’s goal is to settle those suits as quickly and as quietly as possible, as a means of getting beyond this horrific episode.
For the average individual, the case of Jerry Sandusky remains as surrealistic as ever. It is difficult to imaging that someone of his stature could have harmed so many people for so long with so little effort on the part of others to stop it.
But it did happen. And a lot of healing must now take place.
Penn State Scandal
Our Opinion: Much work remains to be done after Sandusky decision
- Penn State Scandal
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Paterno family speaks at child abuse event
On the night before he died, Joe Paterno scrawled a message that his wife Sue did not find until after the legendary coach had passed away. In that message, Joe Paterno noted the silver lining in the child sex abuse coverup that led to his firing might be that the scandal could inspire a greater awareness about child abuse.
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Judge: No new trial for Sandusky
Jerry Sandusky lost a bid for a new trial Wednesday when a judge rejected his argument that his lawyers were not given enough time to prepare for the three-week proceeding that ended with a 45-count guilty verdict.
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Ex-PSU president Spanier charged in sex abuse scandal
Former Penn State President Graham Spanier on Thursday became the latest high-ranking school official to face charges in the child sex-abuse scandal involving former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. Additional charges were also filed against two other school officials already charged in the case.
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Our Opinion: Sandusky jail term protects children and sends a message
There probably isn’t much new to say about the Jerry Sandusky saga at this point. However, yesterday’s sentencing of Sandusky to 30 to 60 years in prison — essentially a life term — for his conviction on child sex abuse charges, warrants additional comment.
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Jerry Sandusky will die in prison, judge says
Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to at least 30 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — in the child-sex-abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall. A defiant Sandusky gave a rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.
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Former PSU assistant Jerry Sandusky sentenced to at least 30 years in prison
Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to at least 30 years in prison — effectively a life sentence — in the child sexual abuse scandal that brought shame to Penn State and led to coach Joe Paterno's downfall. A defiant Sandusky gave a rambling statement in which he denied the allegations and talked about his life in prison and the pain of being away from his family.
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Penn State officials lose pretrial motion on perjury
Two weeks before former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is expected to be sentenced on child molestation charges, a county judge determined that perjury charges should remain in place against two university administrators.
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Lawyer: Sandusky regrets not taking the stand
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky regrets not taking the stand at his child sex abuse trial and likely will be sentenced next month, his defense lawyer said Wednesday.
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Paternos adjust to new Penn State era
Penn State’s season opener Saturday will be the first since 1949 not featuring someone with the name Paterno on the coaching staff. The Paternos are out of the picture, like the campus statue of the family patriarch; erased like his coaching records.
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Penn State Scandal: Former president Spanier goes on offensive
Penn State’s disgraced former president is trying to convince the public he had no idea that Jerry Sandusky was a child molester. Graham Spanier claims that he most certainly did not protect one.
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Paterno family speaks at child abuse event
