Football child sex abuse accused waives hearing
Source: Agencies |
December 14, 2011, Wednesday
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THE man at the center of a child sex abuse case that rocked the US college football world waived his preliminary hearing yesterday, a surprise decision that avoided facing his accusers and moves him toward a trial.
Jerry Sandusky's lawyer quickly said the move was a "tactical measure" and not an admission of guilt.
"There will be no plea negotiations. This is a fight to the death," said Joseph Amendola, who repeatedly had said his client was looking forward to facing his accusers.
He said Sandusky, 67, is also waiving a January arraignment - the formal reading of charges against him.
At least some of the 10 accusers had been expected to testify against the former Penn State assistant football coach. Sandusky faces more than 50 charges related to what authorities say were sexual assaults over 15 years on 10 boys in his home, on Penn State property and elsewhere.
His waiver was announced as the hearing began yesterday, where prosecutors would have had to show they have probable cause to bring the case to trial.
Sandusky told reporters as he left the courthouse that he would "stay the course" in defending himself.
He will waive his next court appearance, an arraignment scheduled for January 11, Amendola said. Sandusky remains under house arrest.
Lawyers for the alleged victims said some were relieved they would not have to make their claims in public before a trial, but others said they had prepared themselves to face Sandusky and were left disappointed.
Ken Suggs, an attorney for one of the accusers, called Sandusky a "coward" for not facing the young men.
Ben Andreozzi, a lawyer representing another accuser, read a statement from his client, who called it the most difficult time of his life.
"I can't believe they put us through this until the last second," the statement read. "I still will stand my ground, testify and speak the truth."
Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo said the amount of publicity generated by Sandusky's attorney made the decision unexpected. He said, however, that Sandusky's decision was not unusual given the strength of the state's case.
Also yesterday, officials at another Pennsylvania college, Juniata College, said Sandusky had contact with its football program last year, despite being told he failed a background check when applying to be a volunteer coach.
The allegations against Sandusky have rocked one of the most well-regarded college football programs in the US and led to the firing of coach Joe Paterno.
Jerry Sandusky's lawyer quickly said the move was a "tactical measure" and not an admission of guilt.
"There will be no plea negotiations. This is a fight to the death," said Joseph Amendola, who repeatedly had said his client was looking forward to facing his accusers.
He said Sandusky, 67, is also waiving a January arraignment - the formal reading of charges against him.
At least some of the 10 accusers had been expected to testify against the former Penn State assistant football coach. Sandusky faces more than 50 charges related to what authorities say were sexual assaults over 15 years on 10 boys in his home, on Penn State property and elsewhere.
His waiver was announced as the hearing began yesterday, where prosecutors would have had to show they have probable cause to bring the case to trial.
Sandusky told reporters as he left the courthouse that he would "stay the course" in defending himself.
He will waive his next court appearance, an arraignment scheduled for January 11, Amendola said. Sandusky remains under house arrest.
Lawyers for the alleged victims said some were relieved they would not have to make their claims in public before a trial, but others said they had prepared themselves to face Sandusky and were left disappointed.
Ken Suggs, an attorney for one of the accusers, called Sandusky a "coward" for not facing the young men.
Ben Andreozzi, a lawyer representing another accuser, read a statement from his client, who called it the most difficult time of his life.
"I can't believe they put us through this until the last second," the statement read. "I still will stand my ground, testify and speak the truth."
Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo said the amount of publicity generated by Sandusky's attorney made the decision unexpected. He said, however, that Sandusky's decision was not unusual given the strength of the state's case.
Also yesterday, officials at another Pennsylvania college, Juniata College, said Sandusky had contact with its football program last year, despite being told he failed a background check when applying to be a volunteer coach.
The allegations against Sandusky have rocked one of the most well-regarded college football programs in the US and led to the firing of coach Joe Paterno.
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