Monday, October 8, 2012

Sandusky insists he's innocent

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty in his sex abuse trial on Friday, June 22.Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty in his sex abuse trial on Friday, June 22.
Sandusky is escorted in handuffs to a police car at the Centre County Courthouse under the glare of TV lights. The jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 counts.Sandusky is escorted in handuffs to a police car at the Centre County Courthouse under the glare of TV lights. The jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 counts.
Defense attorney Joe Amendola talks to the media after the trial.Defense attorney Joe Amendola talks to the media after the trial.
Dottie Sandusky, who has been married to Sandusky for 46 years, walks with her husband while jurors deliberate. She testified that she did not witness any sexual abuse.
Dottie Sandusky, who has been married to Sandusky for 46 years, walks with her husband while jurors deliberate. She testified that she did not witness any sexual abuse.
Matt Sandusky, one of Jerry Sandusky's six adopted children, said Thursday through his attorney that he also was sexually abused and was prepared to testify.Matt Sandusky, one of Jerry Sandusky's six adopted children, said Thursday through his attorney that he also was sexually abused and was prepared to testify.
Shadows of the media are seen outside the courthouse during the second day of deliberations. Jurors took 21 hours over two days to convict Sandusky on 45 of 48 charges against him.Shadows of the media are seen outside the courthouse during the second day of deliberations. Jurors took 21 hours over two days to convict Sandusky on 45 of 48 charges against him.
Sandusky's attorney Joe Amendola arrives at the courthouse Friday. After the conviction, Amendola announced plans to appeal despite the mountain of convictions against his client.Sandusky's attorney Joe Amendola arrives at the courthouse Friday. After the conviction, Amendola announced plans to appeal despite the mountain of convictions against his client.
Judge John Cleland walks into the courthouse. Once the jury reached its decision, he revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest.
Judge John Cleland walks into the courthouse. Once the jury reached its decision, he revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest.
Prosecutor Joseph E. McGettigan III, second from left, and the rest of his prosecution team arrive at the courthouse Friday. Prosecutor Joseph E. McGettigan III, second from left, and the rest of his prosecution team arrive at the courthouse Friday.
A crowd gathers outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to await the Sandusky verdict.
A crowd gathers outside the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, to await the Sandusky verdict.
Sandusky faces the cameras as he is led to a sheriff's vehicle in handcuffs after the reading of the verdict.Sandusky faces the cameras as he is led to a sheriff's vehicle in handcuffs after the reading of the verdict.
Sandusky is put into a police car.Sandusky is put into a police car.
Sandusky was booked into the Centre County Correctional Facility.Sandusky was booked into the Centre County Correctional Facility.
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  • NEW: Sandusky makes audio statement on eve of sentencing hearing
  • NEW: He says that he knows in his heart he is innocent
  • Sandusky could face life in prison after conviction on 45 counts of child sex abuse
  • The scandal led to the firing of Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- In an audio statement made while he sits in a jail cell awaiting sentence, convicted pedophile Jerry Sandusky says that while others make him out to be a monster, he is a falsely accused man who will continue to protest his innocence.

"They could take away my life, they could make me out as a monster, they could treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart," the former coach at Penn State says. "In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts."

Sandusky co-counsel Karl Rominger confirmed the audio statement is legitimate.

"If he wants to say that, God bless the First Amendment," Rominger said.

Penn State University's ComRadio first aired the audio clip on its website Monday evening.

Sandusky, a 68-year-old former defensive coordinator who ran a charity after he retired from coaching, faces up to life in prison. He is scheduled to be the final speaker at a sentencing hearing Tuesday.

"We will continue to fight," he said in the audio statement. "We didn't lose the proven facts, evidence, accurate locations and times. Anything can be said. We lost to speculation and stories that were influenced by people who wanted to convict me."

The attorney for a man who claims he was repeatedly sexually abused by Sandusky while a child said the statement is a reminder that child predators justify their actions.

"Pedophiles often believe they did not do anything wrong. In their twisted universe, they helped their victims and loved them," said Marci Hamilton, an attorney for Travis Weaver, now 30. Weaver did not testify in Sandusky's trial, but did file a civil action against the former coach.

It has been nearly a year since the Penn State scandal erupted, leading to the firing of iconic head football coach Joe Paterno and the ouster of the university's longtime president.

Jurors determined in June that Sandusky used his access to university facilities and a foundation he founded for under-privileged youth to sexually abuse 10 boys over a 15-year period.

His attorney, Joe Amendola, said Monday that his client, who is being held in the Centre County, Pennsylvania, jail, plans to read a statement before the court.

On June 22, Sandusky was convicted on 45 counts of child sex abuse, ranging from corruption of minors to involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, which were laid out in graphic testimony by his accusers over the course of the less-than-two-week trial.

His attorneys will have 10 days after the sentencing to appeal the decision.

The podium stand outside of Jerry Sandusky's trial on its first day is covered in mics, hinting at the massive media coverage of the event.The podium stand outside of Jerry Sandusky's trial on its first day is covered in mics, hinting at the massive media coverage of the event.
Several news vans pile up outside of the Sandusky trial. The network satellite vans are all parked in front of the Centre County Courthouse and the vans parked in back are live trucks from the regional news outlets. Several news vans pile up outside of the Sandusky trial. The network satellite vans are all parked in front of the Centre County Courthouse and the vans parked in back are live trucks from the regional news outlets.
Every day Sandusky arrived in the passenger seat of his attorney Joe Amendola's black BMW SUV.Every day Sandusky arrived in the passenger seat of his attorney Joe Amendola's black BMW SUV.
This sign posted on a road near the town of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, shows support for former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.This sign posted on a road near the town of Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, shows support for former Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno.
Mic cords abound as the media took over the courthouse lawn to cover the Jerry Sandusky trial. Mic cords abound as the media took over the courthouse lawn to cover the Jerry Sandusky trial.
The grave of Joe Paterno is at Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery in State College, Pennsylvania. The grave of Joe Paterno is at Spring Creek Presbyterian Cemetery in State College, Pennsylvania.
Reporters wait with microphones outside of the Sandusky trial. Reporters wait with microphones outside of the Sandusky trial.
Several photographers and videographers staked out spots behind the police's green barriers in the back of the courthouse where Sandusky's trial was taking place. Several photographers and videographers staked out spots behind the police's green barriers in the back of the courthouse where Sandusky's trial was taking place.
Live vans from regional news outlets fill the lot behind the Centre County Courthouse where the Sandusky trial is taking place. Live vans from regional news outlets fill the lot behind the Centre County Courthouse where the Sandusky trial is taking place.
Judge John M. Cleland is presiding over Sandusky's trial at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, PennsylvaniaJudge John M. Cleland is presiding over Sandusky's trial at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania
A business advertises Joe Paterno items within view of the courthouse where assistant coach Sandusky is on trial.A business advertises Joe Paterno items within view of the courthouse where assistant coach Sandusky is on trial.
The gate to the practice football field is locked at the Mildred and Louis Lasch Football Building at Penn State University in State College, PennsylvaniaThe gate to the practice football field is locked at the Mildred and Louis Lasch Football Building at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania
Mics and cameras surround the podium ouside the courthouse where Jerry Sandusky is on trial.Mics and cameras surround the podium ouside the courthouse where Jerry Sandusky is on trial.
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Photos: Sandusky trial coveragePhotos: Sandusky trial coverage

At least of three of Sandusky's victims are expected to be in attendance on Tuesday, according to their attorneys. Two of them plan to address the former coach directly, while the third is expected to have a statement read by prosecutors.

The statement from the person identified in court as Victim No.4 "will convey anger," said attorney Benjamin Andreozzi. "He is nowhere near forgiving Sandusky."

But attorney Thomas Kline, who represents Victim No. 5 in a civil suit, said his client "believes this will be a final chapter in the Sandusky matter."

During the trial, which garnered national attention and cast a shadow on Penn State's heralded football program, the 23-year-old victim testified that he was only 13 when Sandusky sexually abused him in a university shower.

That account is separate from a 2001 incident about which graduate assistant Mike McQueary testified, saying that he saw the former coach pressed up against the back of a boy in the shower room of the Lasch Football Building.

Prosecutors described during the trial how Sandusky showered with the boy, using locker room "soap fights" as a pretext for abuse.

Sandusky's attorneys say they plan to appeal the guilty verdict, and will argue that the jury's opinions had been tainted by a prosecution reference to a disturbing interview their client did with NBC's Bob Costas prior to the trial.

Members of the defense team have also maintained that they were denied sufficient time to prepare.

Less than a month after Sandusky's conviction, former FBI Director Louis Freeh released his university-funded report that blamed Paterno, President Graham Spanier, suspended Athletic Director Tim Curley and ex-Vice President Gary Schultz for taking part in a cover-up to avoid bad publicity.

Freeh also said Paterno could have stopped the attacks had he done more, though neither McQueary, Sandusky nor Paterno -- who died in January -- were interviewed by his investigators.

Attorneys for Spanier blasted the review, calling it a "blundering, indefensible indictment" and "a flat-out distortion of facts" that was "infused with bias and innuendo."

In July, the NCAA imposed sanctions against Penn State, including a $60 million fine, scholarship reductions, the vacating of 112 wins, five years' probation and a bowl ban for four years.

CNN's Ross Levitt contributed to this report

 
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