Jerry Sandusky Guilty of 45 Counts of Child Sex Abuse, Appeal Planned
Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky has been found guilty on 45 of 48 counts of child sex abuse concerning 10 young boys over a 15 year period.
A jury convicted Sandusky, 68, following his trial in Bellefonte, Pa., that has been running since June 11. He was immediately taken to jail to await sentencing, which is expected to take place in about three months. However, it is almost certain that he will spend the rest of his life in prison.
The decision seemingly brings an end to a distressing chapter in the history of the famed college football team. However, it may not be put to rest yet, as Sandusky's defense team has already announced plans to appeal.
Get Our Latest News for FREE
"If you win on one of the appeal issues, everything probably falls," attorney Joe Amendola said, according to CNN. "So all we have to do is convince an appellate court that one of the issues that we will raise is worthy of a reversal. ... It doesn't matter, it could be 100 counts, and it would still all come back if an appeal is granted."
For his co-counsel, Karl Rominger, there were potentially a lot of unique legal issues where the judge made rulings that could be overturned, because the law in the area was unclear.
Jurors delivered the verdict on Friday night after deliberating for 21 hours, bringing convictions related to all 10 sexual abuse victims.
Eight young men testified in the courtroom about the sexual assaults, which included kissing and massages to groping, oral sex and anal rape.
One accuser said Sandusky tried to ensure his silence with gifts and trips to sports games. He said the coach molested him in the locker-room showers and in hotels.
Sandusky, who was once Joe Paterno's heir apparent, reportedly showed little emotion as the verdict was read. Meanwhile, his wife, Dottie, blinked back tears. Rominger, however, disputed reports saying he "could see tears running down his (Sandusky) face."
Sandusky had repeatedly denied the accusations, alleging that his accusers had a financial motive to make up stories.
Defense witnesses, including Sandusky's wife, described him as a person with a good reputation in the community, doing philanthropic work with children over the years.
The scandal has also led to the ousting of university President Graham Spanier, the dismissal of famed head football coach Joe Paterno, and criminal charges against two university administrators for failing to properly report suspected child abuse.
