Sandusky trial deliberations

But Deputy Pennsylvania Attorney General Joseph McGettigan, the lead prosecutor, argued that it defied common sense to believe the police and court systems would have conspired to bring down a figure as beloved in the community as Sandusky, the former longtime defensive coordinator for Penn State's nationally famous football team and founder of the Second Mile charity for troubled children.

Sandusky, 68, is charged with 48 counts alleging that he abused 10 boys over 15 years after three more counts were dropped early Thursday. The grand jury reports accused him of having used his connection to one of the nation's premier college football programs to "groom" the boys for sexual relationships. Sources: Adopted son as possible witness helped keep Sandusky silent.

Legal analysis: Sandusky's attorney hits home run in closing argument. This is awful no matter what happens," Amendola said during the closing defense argument. Bless his heart, that's my feeling.

Amendola repeated the phrases "it doesn't make sense" and "does that make sense? Sandusky is in his mids, Mr. Sandusky decides to become a pedophile? Does that make sense to anybody? Does that make sense? Amendola accused the eight men who testified that Sandusky had abused them as children of seeking to cash in on eventual civil trials against his client.

Matt Sandusky is one of six children Jerry Sandusky and his wife adopted. Sources close to the case said that Matt Sandusky contacted prosecutors late last week to say that he was willing to testify. Prosecutors couldn't call him to the stand for direct questioning because he was not included in the charges against his father. But they could have called Matt Sandusky to the stand as a rebuttal witness if Jerry Sandusky took the stand, sources said.

Lawyers for Jerry Sandusky said they were considering allowing him to testify up until the last day of testimony Wednesday.

We'll notify you here with news about. Turn on desktop notifications for breaking stories about interest? Comments 0. Top Stories. Skip to main content Skip to navigation. Sandusky jury begins deliberating abuse case. Penn State Nittany Lions. Bama's Williams, Kiper's top WR, enters draft. Ole Miss Rebels. USC receiver McCoy back in portal for third time. USC Trojans. LSU Tigers. Boston College Eagles. UVa QB Armstrong returning to play fifth season. Virginia Cavaliers. RB Johnson follows Napier to Gators as transfer.

Florida Gators. Colorado RB Broussard enters transfer portal. At the same time, Amendola pointed to a "tidal wave of public opinion" against his client as one of several factors that led him to believe this outcome wasn't surprising.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly, expressed satisfaction in the jury's decision to hold the ex-coach accountable. She was especially thankful for the victims who testified, in some cases many years after they were abused.

Victim No. Back inside the courtroom, the young man identified in court documents as Victim 6 was in tears as he hugged prosecutors. Amendola indicated "we have some appeals we will pursue," though he did not elaborate. The case has gripped the nation since last fall, when it led to the dismissal of legendary coach Joe Paterno and one of America's highest-paid university president, Graham Spanier.

The family of Paterno, who died in January, issued a statement Friday after the verdict. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families. The university, meanwhile, said it had "tremendous respect for the men who came forward to tell their stories publicly. Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing," Penn State said in a statement.

Penn State said it will invite the victims to participate in a program to facilitate resolution. During closing arguments, prosecutors described the ex-Nittany Lions defensive coordinator as a pedophile who preyed on victims using a charity he founded for troubled children, repeatedly abusing young boys in his care. His defense sought to poke holes in the prosecution's case throughout the trial, such as pointing to inconsistencies in the testimony of Mike McQueary, a former graduate assistant who testified that he witnessed Sandusky apparently sodomizing a boy in a university shower.

Amendola reminded jurors of the lack of physical evidence in the case, accusing the alleged victims of conspiring for financial gain, while also blaming the media for what he described as biased coverage.