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Subscribe to RSSForty prospective jurors were interviewed for the sexual abuse trial of former Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky. NBC's Brian Williams reports.
Updated at 10:40 p.m. ET -- By the end of the day Tuesday, nine jurors were selected at a central Pennsylvania courthouse, where former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will stand trial on charges of sexually abusing children.
"I need you to all have an open mind," Judge John Cleland told jurors, according to PennLive.com. "This defendant is charged with sexual abuse of children."
Sandusky, who had been laughing as Cleland made a few jokes with jurors, immediately looked down at that point, PennLive's reporter wrote from the courtroom.
One of two middle-aged women selected told the court she's been a Penn State football season-ticketholder since the 1970s and that her husband works for the medical group where the father of key witness Mike McQueary previously worked. A 24-year-old man was also selected.
Cleland said that unless ties to witnesses or Sandusky were strong, relationships such as hers would not mean she could not serve on the jury, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.
The jury selection officially started later than scheduled with 240 prospective jurors out of the 600 who were called. The pool will be narrowed to 12 jurors and four alternates.
The initial pool of 600 was narrowed down via an at-home questionnaire, PennLive.com reported.
The 240 potential jurors will be divided into groups of 40 for more questions, followed by one-on-one questioning for those who are not dismissed. The process could take days, reported AP, but the judge said he wants the trial to start Monday.
Cleland also told the prospective jurors what their duties would entail and said they would not be sequestered during the trial, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported. Judges rarely isolate juries; when they do, it is to prevent them from being swayed or threatened.
"I'm trusting you will not read the newspapers, watch TV news, will not read blogs,” the judge said, according to the Inquirer. “I'm sure that judgment will not be misplaced."
Jurors are being chosen from among people who live in the State College area, where Penn State's main campus is located, AP reported.
TV trucks surrounded the courtroom, as potential jurors began slowly filing into the front door of the courthouse around 8 a.m. One man wore a gray Penn State sweatshirt, AP reported.
Sandusky and his lawyer, Joe Amendola, made no comments as they arrived. He has repeatedly denied the charges.
Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years. Some of the alleged victims are expected to testify.
The defense also presented a list of some 60 possible witnesses that includes: the son and wife of the late coach Joe Paterno; former Penn State President Graham Spanier; and PennLive.com reporter Sara Ganim.
Previous report: Sandusky accusers must use real identities at trial
On Monday, the alleged victims were told they would have to use their real names when they testified. Lawyers for five accusers had requested their clients be allowed to use pseudonyms.
Penn State, for its part, released a statement on the trial that read: "We are further hopeful that the legal process will start to bring closure to the alleged victims and families whose lives have been irrevocably impacted and that they can begin the healing process."
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Leave a Comment:
Wow-- rotsa ruck trying to find 12 people in the country, let alone State College who haven't heard about this case.
"Jerry who?"
All my years on this earth have taught me two things: (1) There's never a shortage of ignorance (2) There's never a shortage of liars.
All it takes is one die-hard football freak, and there's a load of them in the middle of PA.
cheetah,
I would generally agree with that, but the vast majority of alumni and residents are completely outraged at what has occurred. I think Sandusky is toast.
If Sandusky is found not guilty, you can bet there will be some street justice waiting for him. He'd be safer in prison.
Marla-your wrong about not being able to find jurors,most americans are complety dumb about these things,or anything not nonsense or having to do with food,now if someone on DWTS was being tried,you may have a point.
This guy is toast. He and his lawyer know it. (1) 12 living, breathing witnesses/victim. (2) This is the initial cause for the most beloved coach possibly in NCAA history being fired. (3) Penn State is now in tormiol because of these incidents. For those 3 reasons ALONE, this guy is gonna swing. WHen have you ever heard of a case moving this fast through the process? In order to reinstate the good name of the school as quick as possible, this guy will be found guilty in record time. TRUST IN THAT... The scholl will pay out millions, and quickly in order to get past this as fast as possible. Trustfully, I'm glad this is happening as it is. The victims will recieve their just due in record time because of this. I was never a Penn State fan, and I would never wish this on a program as important as this one, but in the efforts of justice, I'm glad the school is involved in order to ensure the victims get justice. Otherwise, they may have been swept under the rug. JUST like they were for the past 10 years before the story broke.
The problem is not finding jurors who know about the case. It's finding jurors who haven't made up their minds and can look at evidence and base their opinions on what's presented to them not what the media has said.
Hey Marla - are you Chinese ??
I got called for jury duty today. Thankfully I don't live in PA...
can't believe one could-be juror showed up in a Penn State sweatshirt! what a douche! This isn't a sports event, moron! these were innocent children being RAPED!
what a complete dumb-ass
i hope sandusky burns
This trial is going to be a sham. They should have moved the trial away from this community. It's full of Penn State lovers and season ticket holders who don't want this black stain on the history of their team. They are going to acquit him, sweep it under the rug and act like it never happened. The prosecution blew it by not fighting tooth and nail to have it moved to another jurisdiction.
At 68 I hope Jerry Sandusky makes it to the penalty phase of his case. If he dies before then I don't think his accusers will have justice!
Q. When does Jerry Sandusky take a shower?
A. When the big hand touches the little hand.
Gross.... but hilarious!
Good point, schoolyard...but at least they will have the satisfaction of knowing that he is burning in hell. I, for one, would like to see the prison population take him down after gang raping him. THAT would be justice.
Nothing short of this guy's rectum turned inside out and dragging the ground constitutes appropriate retribution and justice for what he did to innocent young children.
Wow, Tranquil, you said it all, I'm speechless! Awesome.
It isn't so much about finding a juror who hasn't heard about this case as it is finding a juror who has not already formed an opinion of innocence or guilt.
I hope they seat a jury quickly!
Agreed. There are people who haven't read the grand jury indictment or followed the case closely. Sandusky will be able to get a fair trial in central Pennsylvania.
Personally, I hope they nail his a$$ to the wall.
That's a great point. Both sides will have their chance to pick, and exclude potential jurors. Even with that, I think there is very little chance he will get off if he is guilty. Most people have children, or at least have a human emotion that will sympathize with a child. If the evidence even points towards guilt, he'll be headed for the gallows. ESPECTIALLY, with the continued outrage for the case in Florida where the lady got off. Sandusky is gonna swing for this.
If that athletic assistant who saw this pervert raping a ten year old boy in the Penn State shower testifies and comes off as a credible witness, then how the hell could he possibly walk? I don't care how much you love Penn State I think that any decent human being would be repulsed by this incident alone and not be swayed by some collegiate loyalty. If the prosecution is competent, unlike the Powell case in Utah or the Casey Anthony case in Florida, then this guy should fall hard.
F'ing scum bags...... This loser and the sideline coach Mike McQueary should be strung up together.
How many more little boys were violated because you were an f'ing coward Mike McQueary, and didn't stop what you saw Jerry doing to that boy in the shower the second you saw it?
What kind of "man" Mike, readily allows that without kicking Jerry's ass and calling the authorities the SECOND you saw him violating that boy in the shower? That's a rhetorical question Mike, you're no man at all, you're a disgusting coward.
Jerry Sandusky and Mike McQueary are the most vile, disgusting pieces of human excrement there is. Pathetic. You both will burn in Hell.... which in my opinion is too kind for what should happen to you.
What about Sandusky's wife? She knew he took all those kids into the basement while she was there. Nasty woman must have known for years what he was doing to those boys.
that sandusky has the nerve to always have that stupid smirk on his face. i want to throw up. i agree with you about mcqueary. you actually see a man molesting a child and you do nothing. i guess since it wasnt his child it didnt matter. mcqueary is just as GUILTY as sandusky. i hope justice is served on all of those that damaged those children
You left out Joe Paterno! He shares in this guilt, too.
Except that now McQueary is saying he is not sure what he saw, and the "victim" insists through his attorney that he was not victimized at all. Then there is the question I have asked on every board on this subject and have yet to receive an answer: How does a six-foot-plus tall man sodomize a ten-year-old boy standing up? And where are the doctor's reports? A young boy anally raped by a large man would have severe injuries requiring medical attention.
Sorry to rain on your necktie party, but this story has way too many holes in it for comfort. That is why we have courts and juries and judges and trials, however annoying that may be to those who think they already know everything.
Spoken by a truely clueless guy. Until you've been ten years old and victimized by a man you trusted you have NO clue what types of bruises there would or wouldn't be. He never used force on his victims you moron...he gained their trust, that's why it's called grooming. Violence is rarely used when child molestation occurs with someone the child knows. It always amazes me when i hear such moronic and stupid arguments coming from someone who has NO clue what they're talking about but who feels a need to defend someone because he loves football. Educate yourself before posting comments. Knowledge is power, ignorance is weakness...and you... are a very, very weak person.
If he is guilty of what he is being charged of (looks like he probably is). Sorry, I'm one of those that thinks the law should find him guilty and not the public, and if found guilty, then I hope Sandusky receives the full extent of punishment the law allows...
Then send him to the prison general population and make sure every murdering inmate knows what he did to young innocent boys...
WOW! Your comments are real brutal, but so true. I have my fingers crossed also.
Having been on the receiving end of being abused by someone I should've trusted (my brother), I can relate to what these victims must have gone through. Pedophiles are so skilled at the art of denial. It's not like a burglar or even a murderer saying "I didn't do it" to avoid going to jail. Pedophiles hang to the "I didn't do it" theme as much for themselves as for anything else. Inside their own head a murderer or thief knows they're a murderer or thief. They're just trying to con the cops, juries, us, etc. into having doubts. Fair enough. Pedophiles can't admit it to themselves. Once they're caught and exposed they enter a world of denial that's absolute and total. It isn't until AFTER they sit in a court of law and listen to the victims, over and over and over, recount the experiences that they see what monsters they really are. There are exceptions of course, like the total a-hole who kidnapped, raped and murdered Polly Klaus. But these "civilized" pedophiles; priests, coaches, scout leaders, teachers, family members, etc are a breed of animal so unreal it's beyond frightening.
wow sad to hear Bull. This guy should be neutered with a butcher knife, no pain meds or anything, then left naked in a public jail so they can have their way with him. He's toast. If he had raped one of my little brothers, I would have neutered him myself with pleasure.
Thanks Hank. Alas, no amount of neuturing will solve the problem. It would only lead to a good person, like you, being sent away. As we tap away at our keyboard thousands of pedophiles are, right now, having their way with little kids throughout America. A large percentage of them are "known" to us. They've been caught before and are even "registered." This means they had to endure public humiliation, a trial, a sentence, a term in prison where they (undoubtably) encountered some form of physical retribution yet, now out in the world, they continue. A 'cured' pedophile is rarer than an honest politician. To capture a pedophile and then release him (or her) on parole is like caging a rabid dog and releasing it even though it is still foaming at the mouth. If someone has killed someone because they caught them screwing their wife or had stolen their life savings, I can see a 'possibility for parole.' It's possible they won't do it again. If someone has raped, sodomized and terrorized a child the odds are -- they will do it again and again and again until and if they're caught - again. The damage these animals inflict on a child is with the child forever (I'm turning 60 this year, I know). The 3 possible solutions are: (1) Lock them up forever (2) Kill them (3) Or find an island somewhere upon which they can be dumped to live among their own for eternity. Not having a penis will not stop them. It's not just about "that". We need to decide who's rights and who's life needs protecting most - the six and seven year olds or the adults who prey on them. It really is that simple.
Bull-I agree with you 100%!!! There is no such thing as "curing" a pedophile! They are vicious animals and deserve to be treated as such. They cannot be rehabilitated. I know it's more expensive for them to be on death row and then be killed than to house them in prison forever, but I for one would rather see them die. I'm so sorry for what you went through and I hope that you may have some peace in your life. May justice be served and Sandusky found guilty and sent to prison where he can really get what he deserves. A bullet between the eyes would solve the problem, but we know that won't happen. Besides, he needs to go to prison and get a taste of his own medicine. Sick animal.
Too bad the American system of justice doesn't permit the kind of punishment he deserves, assuming he is guilty.
I'm sick and tired of gay pedophiles raping our young boys. If he's guilty, may he burn in hell!!!!
Being gay doesn't make you a pedophile. Statistically, gay men are much more likely NOT to be a pedophile
And I'm sick and tired of straight pedophiles raping young boys and girls.
Thank you, Pat. Being gay does NOT mean you are a pedophile. Because someone is attracted to the 'same sex' does not mean you're attracted to children. MOST pedophiles are STRAIGHT men who are even married. And, yes, have children of their own.
What I've investigated about Sandusky, he needs to spend the remaining years of his life in prison. Innocent until proven guilty, true. If the witness testimonies ARE true... he needs to serve the maximum sentence which won't be enough because of his age. I'm glad we live in an age where this treatment of children isn't blind any longer. I think most of us would speak up. No longer are we in the days of turning a blind eye. I don't care what organization you belong to (Penn State Football).
If he is guilty? I know he has a right to a trial and all, but you do not get that many victims coming forward and saying he did the things he did without most of it being true. He is a child molester, guaranteed!
Gary, the posted responses to your comment are correct. In fact, they're MORE than correct. The chances of a child being sexually molested by a gay person is almost nil. I'm not gay but I am a victim and my victimizer was a straight heterosexual male (my brother). He's married now and had two kids. As an American and as distasteful as it may be, I defend your right to be a homophobe but at least be an informed one. The problem of pedophiles preying on children in this country is huge. We send hundreds of thousands of men and women overseas with the most advanced weaponry, spend trillions to fight enemies in caves in foreign lands yet these terrorists go about their business relatively unchecked. One of the hardest things to do is put yourself into the 'head' of a little boy or girl as they are grabbed, tossed into a car by a stranger and then taken to a place to be brutalized for hours or even days. You're just a little kid. You "assume" adults aren't going to hurt you. Trust is a natural thing to you. Now, assuming you've survived (physically) it's all gone. Your mind is full of images that will never leave you. People look at you and treat you different - even your family. Your damaged goods - forever. Every horrible second of that time sticks with you. Sit there and try and imagine yourself as that kid who - RIGHT NOW - it's happening too. Put yourself in the back of that van or in the basement of that house. Smell the miserable breath of your tormentor. Feel the pain of the pentration. Remember, you're only six. You were going to the park to play. Your friends are there waiting for you. That's not a gay man on top of you. That's not a man at all. It's a terrorist as terrifying as any Osama Bin Laden ever was.
Thanks for your insight, Bull. Pedophilia is a crime of power, like any other kind of rape - exerting power over a child or anyone weaker than one's self. What I don't understand is why grown men saw his crime and didn't jump in right away and stop it. And how could ANYONE continue to work with this guy day after day, knowing his crimes and doing NOTHING about it? It would seem that keeping the coaching team together was more important to this college. The college staff and administrators who knew about this should be tried as accomplises.
I don't think that Gary was saying that gays are pedophiles. He was saying that pedophiles who rape young boys are gay. (Which isn't true either.)
So you're cool with straight pedophiles raping little girls? There are lots more of them.
Wow, I hope Sandusky is convicted. I hope he gives his life to the Lord Jesus, because the evil men in prison will have a field day with him. I decided that my children will go to college online. He knows he is guilty and he still wants to drag everyone through this mess.
Man, how irrational is your thinking? Give his life to "the Lord Jesus"? A bit late for that, don't you think? The last thing that belongs in these posts is religion...obviously, the man is garbage and, if anything, has already given himself over to the devil...if such an entity exists.
Your children will go to college on-line? How stupid is that? You can't shelter your children forever; you will only hold them back that way. You need to educate them regarding the predators out there and teach them how to fend them off. Otherwise, you'll be raising kids who will probably do nothing but sit in front of computers, in their rooms, for their entire lives while life marches on without them.
TisEyerish - You don't get to decide how your children attend college, because they will be adults.
I hope this doesn't drag on. There's nothing like hearing details of a gay pedophile from 10 accusers. smh.
Your "gay" pedophile was married to a woman. This is a crime of power, not passion.
Sorry cathy, but I think he's "yours", and for the record the so called woman he was married to is even worse than he is!
@Kathy
Is it? How do you know that? He was neither violent nor angry when he did the things he did to these boys. In fact, reports say he was very nice, complimentary and generous with gifts and trips for these boys. Sounds almost like he was "wooing" them. He already had power. I think there's a very good possibility he COULD be gay. When he was asked on a radio interview "are you sexually attracted to young boys?" he never denied it, just repeated the question then danced around a response of no response.
Power and violence crimes aren't about beating someone up bologna. Violence can be done without using a fist....but until you've been raped or abused you will have no clue what we're talking about because you obviously don't have the intelligence to understand.
Wow TZ
YOU actually dont know what youre talking about. My brother was molested for 3 years from a family friend. I went to counseling with my family for 2 years after it came forward. He was ten.
I DO know what I'm talking about. Do you??? Who's the idiot now??? Oh yes, YOU
TZ
Ive read several of your past comments. You're a huge negative troll. Go away until you have something of value to add.
yeah his lawer will push for at least six members of NAMBLA and the other six his golfing buddies. After prison he can always get ordained and coach kiddy sports at a xtian school
Toss him in a hole and bury him ...the worthless pos !!
...works for me!
Also stupids, he was married..gay doesnt make you a pedophile...screwing children makes you a pedophile. or a priest!
Finally, someone who understands the difference. Statistically speaking, gay men are much more likely NOT to be pedophiles
Well, if we are trying to educate people, screwing children does not make you a pedophile. It makes you a child molester. A pedophile has an attraction to pre-pubescent children, whether of the same or opposite gender. You can have this attraction and never act out on it and instead have sex with adults. Many pedophiles likely never break the law and abuse kids because they know it is wrong. They just happened to be born with pedophilia.
This freak should get the death penalty if convicted. Also, I wonder if he eat "Lil Sizzler" sausage for breakfast every morning.
another romney buddy
Put him in general population in prison. Let "prison" justice do it.
How do you castrate a priest?
Kick an altar boy in the mouth.
I think he did it-having said that-I am thinking a hung jury-look at the John Edwards case as an example-no doubt Edwards is guilty-stay tuned I suppose!!
Just what, other than of being a morally corrupt pig was Edwards guilty of?
Jersey Jeff-Jersey Jeff !!!!-He took the money to support the chic-simple as that-and he is going to walk-I don't care about him being morally corrupt-if he wanted to get some on the side-fine-his supporters shouldn't have to pay for it-pure and simple-By the way-I don't live in North Carolina nor am I a freakin' Democrat! Have a nice day there Jersey Jeff!
why do white men do this so often its creepy and this issue needs to be addressed
So are you saying people other than white people don't do this? I see and I can see clearly that there is not a racist bone in your body-right?
If you think only white men do this you are confused.
It is not right for msnbc to put up articles withOUT the author's' name/s, just as it's not right for accusers to use pseudonyms at trial. We need to notify our Congressmen and WOMEN to make the media and press identify themselves. Thank you and good night,....oh, by the way,.....do they have the death penalty in this case? Hope so,.....go get the Pope's pedophiles, too.
This just in. The prospective juror, dufus wearing the psu sweatshirt is from Snow Shoe....
Hope it's not the same jury that let that skank Casey Anthony walk....
Where will the find a dozen priests or Boy Scout leaders? They'll probably seat 12 homosexuals.
Hopefully. They gay community hates this crap too. Twelve homosexuals is fine by me if they get the job done!
Seating 12 homosexuals doesn't mean a thing if trying to find guilt or innocence. Why do you think homosexuals would find Sandusky's behavior okay? They are going to be just as appalled as heterosexuals.
I think he did it-so I couldn't give him a fair trail. They should chop his penis off and make him eat it then pour alcohol on the wound and rat poison down his throat. That he would gain a position of trust and use that position to bully and abruse little children angers me. So, I sit from the sidelines, where I should be, and listen for the verdict of others. Because I cann't see the truth through angry eyes and I can't seek justice with ears that would seek revenge for the children!!
How do people like you even think up such vile actions? Good grief. You and those who think as you do aren't the least bit interested in Justice.