Jerry Sandusky is just hours away from being sentenced for 45 counts of raping children, but went on a student-run station at Penn State to plead his innocence.
As if Penn State isn’t in enough trouble over the former coach and his sick addiction, right?
But he’s probably going to be sentenced to life in prison or something close to it, and now, the day before he’s ready to go to court, now he’d decided to say he didn’t do it and he didn’t have a “fair opportunity” to prepare for trial, Fox News reports.
In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. 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.
He’ll get a chance to tell it all to the judge Tuesday morning – but so will some of his victims. And naturally, his attorney, Joe Amendola said Sandusky will continue to protest his innocence at the hearing too.
After all, what does he have to lose? One way or another, Sandusky is going to prison. Even if he only gets one year per count, that’s still 45 years behind bars, and he’s been found guilty, so it’s not like Judge John M. Cleland will just say “Okay, Jerry, no problem. Be free!” Cleland can sentence Sandusky to anywhere from 10 to 400 years in prison, and given the severity of the charges, and the lack of Sandusky’s remorse, the elderly former coach probably won’t see the outside of a prison cell ever again.
And Amendola said he and the other legal counsel had planned to ask for leniency, but that’s off. “How can he be remorseful if he maintains his innocence?” Amendola said.
Under state sentencing guidelines, Cleland could impose anywhere from 10 years to more than 400 years.And he’s not just blaming the media, but the victims themselves.
Before you blame me, as others have, look at everything and everybody. … 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.
Sandusky was convicted in June of abusing 10 boys over 15 years, including attacking some of them inside Penn State’s athletic facilities. The school itself is paying for hiding his actions through sanctions and having their wins over that amount of time vacated, and the late Joe Paterno retired from an incredible career in a state of disgrace.
They can take away my life. They can make me out as a monster. They can 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.
Sandusky’s statements were apparently recorded at jail, but Amendola said he doesn’t know how the radio station got the recording. Amendola said he doesn’t expect anyone else to show up to speak for Sandusky, but friends and family members and his wife, Dottie plan to be there. And the lawyer said the sentencing hearing will allow them to start the appeals process.
Lead prosecutor Joe McGettigan said as many as six of Sandusky’s victims are expected to tell the judge how the coach’s actions harmed them. Eight victims testified at Sandusky’s trial, saying the coach’s abuse went from grooming to fondling and oral and anal sex.
Sandusky didn’t take the stand but has been insisting he’s not guilty since the trial ended. Tell it to the judge, Jerry.