BELLEFONTE, PA. ---- More than three months ago, Jerry Sandusky was convicted of sexually abusing 10 young boys and booked in a county jail to await sentencing. That sentence is expected on Tuesday.
Under Pennsylvania law, the 45 counts on which Sandusky was found guilty could mean as few as 10 years in prison (if he is given the mandatory minimum sentences for each count and serves those sentences concurrently) or as many as 440 years (if he is given the maximum sentences and serves them one after the other). Keep in mind that the former Penn State University assistant football coach is now 68, so a “life sentence” would not need to be that long.
On the eve of the sentencing, the small Victorian-style town of Bellefonte again transformed into a media zoo, as satellite trucks parked, reporters picked up credentials and advocates for sexual assault victims handed out statements. Many wonder if Sandusky will take the stand on Tuesday, as his attorney has promised. And if he does testify, what will he say? How will he look and sound after three months in custody, away from the world?
The world received a possible preview on Monday evening, when a Penn State student radio station aired what it says is an audio statement recorded by Sandusky in his jail cell. Sandusky’s lead attorney, Joe Amendola, reportedly told the Daily Collegian student newspaper that the statement is authentic. (Amendola has yet to return my voice message.)
The nearly three-minute-long audio clip features a man speaking in a deep, steady and measured voice. He states that he did not “do these alleged disgusting acts” and that he is the victim of an unfair system. At one point he says: “A young man who was dramatic, a veteran accuser, and always sought attention, started everything. He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won. I’ve wondered what they really won: Attention, financial gain, prestige… will all be temporary.” (You can hear or read the full statement on the PSU ComRadio Web site.)
Sandusky was initially arrested and charged nearly a year ago, following a secret, months-long grand jury investigation. The same day in early November 2011, two top Penn State officials were charged with not properly reporting suspected child abuse and perjury. Days later, legendary football coach Joe Paterno and President Graham Spanier lost their jobs.
Soon after Sandusky was convicted, Penn State released a statement saying it planned to “privately, expeditiously and fairly” address concerns of Sandusky’s victims and compensate them. Meanwhile, Penn State has spent millions of dollars on an internal investigation, crisis communications, legal fees and other expenses. It has agreed to pay a $60 million fee imposed by the NCAA, among other penalties. The school has also wiped away any mention of Sandusky from its campus, and removed a statue of Paterno that once stood outside the football stadium.
Also gone is Second Mile, the mentoring program that Sandusky created to help at-risk children. That’s how Sandusky met most if not all of the 10 victims whose abuse led to the charges that led to Sandusky now sitting in jail. Several of those victims are expect to testify at the sentencing.
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