Sandusky Sentenced to 30-60 Years

PA Homepage
October 9, 2012

http://pahomepage.com/fulltext?nxd_id=281012

Bellefonte, Centre County -- A Centre County judge has sentenced former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky to 30-60 years in prison. That's essentially a life sentence for the 68-year-old.

Yesterday Jerry Sandusky spoke out from behind prison walls, just hours before he would learn his fate. He recorded a statement and then it was given by his lawyer to Penn State student radio. You can read the complete statement below.

Sandusky, the one-time Penn State football defensive coordinator and national title winner is now a convicted child sex molester. A jury convicted him in June of molesting 10 young boys for more than a decade.

David Clohessy is a child sex abuse victim and now speaks out on behalf of all sex abuse victims, many who remain silent for years like he did. "He's clearly the most high profile predator ever in history. The fact that justice has been done encourages many other victims to come forward and break their silence get help and call the police," said Clohessy of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

Mike Sisak is a reporter for the Citizens Voice Newspaper based in Wilkes-Barre and has covered the Sandusky case extensively. "Jerry Sandusky to this day believes he is not a pedophile. Expect him to say the same thing tomorrow despite the weight of the evidence and the weight of the conviction."

Attorney Tom Kline represents Sandusky victim number five and his client will speak in court at the sentencing. "He wants both the court and Mr. Sandusky to know the harm that was done to him it has not disappeared was not transient it will be with him along long time!" said Kline.

Statement from Jerry Sandusky:

I'm responding to the worst loss of my life. First, I looked at myself. Over and over, I asked why? Why didn't we have a fair opportunity to prepare for trial? Why have so many people suffered as a result of false allegations? What's the purpose?

Maybe it will help others; some vulnerable children who could be abused, might not be because of all the publicity. That would be nice, but I'm not sure about it. I would cherish the opportunity to become a candle for others, as they have been a light for me.

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. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner that was after marriage. Our love continues.

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.

Before you blame me, as others have, look at everything and everybody. Look at the preparation for the trial and the trial. Compare it to others. Think about what happened. Why, and who made it happen?

Evaluate the accusers and their families. Realize they didn't come out of isolation. The accusers were products of many more people and experiences than me. Look at their confidants and their honesty. Think about how easy it was for them to turn on me given the information, attention and potential perks. I never labeled or put down them or their families. I tried and I cared, then asked for the same.

Please realize all came to the Second Mile because of issues. Some of those may remain. We will continue to fight. 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. We must fight unfairness and consistency and dishonesty.

People need to be portrayed for who they really are. We've not been complainers. When we couldn't have kids, we adopted. When we didn't have time to prepare for a trial, we still gave it our best. We will fight for another chance.

We have given many second chances, and now we'll ask for one. It will take more than our effort. Justice will have to be more than just a word; fairness more than just a dream. It will take others: somebody apolitical with the courage to listen, to think about the unfairness, to have the guts to stand up and take the road less traveled.

I ask for the strength to handle everything and willingness to surrender only to God, regardless of the outcome.