WJACTV.COM :: Witness: I Should Have Spoken Sooner

BELLEFONTE – According to WJACT.com, the first witness at Jerry Sandusky’s child sexual abuse trial said he feels responsible for what happened to other alleged victims because he didn’t come forward earlier.

The 28-year-old man said Monday he was reluctant to cooperate with the sweeping investigation into the allegations against the former Penn State assistant football coach.
Under cross-examination by defense lawyer Joe Amendola, the man said: “I feel if I just said something back then … I feel responsible for what happened to other victims.”

The man told jurors that Sandusky gave him several gifts, including a snowboard and a copy of Sports Illustrated magazine autographed by linebacker LaVar Arrington.

A jury of seven women and five men — many who have ties to Penn State University and were fans of Sandusky and the football team — will decide the fate of the former assistant coach.

The 68-year-old Sandusky faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he denies. Sandusky arrived at the courthouse in Bellefonte, Centre County, at 8:08 a.m. with his wife, Dottie, by his side. He has been under house arrest for about seven months.

A tent is up outside the back door of the courthouse to shield jurors and the alleged victims from the media spotlight.

6 News learned there was a question about one of the jurors, but that person was not removed from the case.

It took about a half hour for Judge John Cleland to address the jurors, then the prosecution began its opening statement. Sandusky hunched slightly in his seat at the defense table as Cleland outlined the charges to the jurors.

For the full story, check out WJACTV.com.

 

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