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Subscribe to RSSJerry Sandusky's child sexual abuse trial is nearing an end as the defense begins presenting its case. NBC News' John Yang reports from Bellefonte, Pa.
Updated at 6:57 p.m. ET: Jerry Sandusky's attorneys began their defense Monday in Sandusky's trial on child sexual abuse charges, calling witnesses who testified that it wasn't unusual for football coaches to share showers with young boys at football and youth camps.
Sandusky, 68, the former longtime defensive coordinator at Penn State University, denies having abused 10 boys over 15 years as alleged in two grand jury reports and the indictment. Prosecutors argued over the past week that Sandusky used his connection to one of the nation's premier college football programs to "groom" the boys, whom he met through his Second Mile charity for troubled children, for sexual relationships.
Sandusky was originally charged with 52 counts in the indictment, but prosecutors dropped one count, a misdemeanor, on Monday, acknowledging that the alleged offense wasn't yet a crime when it was believed to have occurred. Judge John Cleland denied defense requests to dismiss many of the remaining counts.
Closing arguments are expected Thursday, and the jury, which will be sequestered during deliberations, could get the case as early as Thursday afternoon or Friday, Cleland said.
Defense attorneys opened their presentation after jurors heard from the mother of an alleged victim of Sandusky, who broke down on the stand as she described her son's withdrawal and health problems after he began spending some weekends at Sandusky's home.
Although Sandusky's accusers are being identified by name in court, NBC News and msnbc.com do not identify victims of sexual assaults.
The boy, identified in the indictment as "Victim 9," who is now 18, testified last week that Sandusky repeatedly raped him during the visits, sometimes with such force that he would bleed.
He said he didn't seek medical attention; instead, "I just dealt with it." He didn't say how.
Full coverage of the Jerry Sandusky trial
But the man's mother testified Monday that she thought it was odd that her son would often come home from the sleepovers with no underwear.
"He'd say he had an accident and threw them out," she said.
When her son complained that stomach hurt him and he "couldn't use the bathroom right," she took him to a doctor, who she said diagnosed acid reflux and "nerves."
Through tears, the woman said she felt responsible for what happened because she encouraged her son to continue seeing Sandusky even though he told her he didn't want to. She said she believed at the time that Sandusky was doing good work.
Prosecutors may use unaired portions of NBC's Sandusky interview
The defense then began by calling former coaching colleagues of Sandusky, seeking to demonstrate that as a famous football coach with many public commitments, he wouldn't have had the time to plan and carry out the sex crimes he's accused of.
Dick Anderson, a former Penn State assistant coach who went on to be head football coach at Rutgers University and an assistant coach in the National Football League, testified that coaches at prominent programs "all had those responsibilities where we had to recruit, which meant getting on the road."
"There were clinics that all of us did at one time or another at various locations, so those were things that we had to do," he said. "There were banquets, dinners, various places we were asked to speak at that went on regularly."
"Jerry had probably more than us, being defensive coordinator and being a national name," Anderson said. "He did a lot of things with speaking engagements — not just Second Mile, but things he did for banquets" and other events around the country.
Anderson and another former Penn State assistant coach, Booker Brooks, testified that it isn't unusual for coaches to share showers with their players and youth camp charges after a day of hard physical work, saying he had done so himself many times.
"Throughout my life as a football coach, I've showered with younger men than myself — throughout my life and even currently right now, since I am a grandfather I take my grandchild to the local YMCA. Since she's not old enough to go into a room by herself, we go in and we shower together," Brooks said.
Sandusky enjoyed stellar reputation
Asked about Sandusky's reputation, Brooks said it was "exemplary, topnotch — other words like that come to mind."
Other witnesses also testified to Sandusky's reputation, including a former fundraising consultant for Second Mile and a local schoolteacher, saying he was widely respected in the community and appeared to have a special rapport with troubled children.
"Jerry had a very unique way, and many of us were inspired by this, how he could relate to youth of all ages and really get to their level and communicate," said David Pasquinelli, the fundraising consultant.
The teacher, Brett Whitmore, a former social worker, said he learned from Sandusky the importance of trying to help hard-to-reach children.
"As I went on to social work and teaching now, I've kind of carried that with me — that people who are going to go on and do great things will always go a step further to make sure the best interest of kids is being served," Whitmore said.
One count dropped
Before testimony resumed Monday in Bellefonte, Pa., the defense asked Cleland to dismiss many of the counts, arguing that prosecutors and the alleged victims had failed to establish specific dates and times when the offenses occurred, making it impossible for Sandusky's lawyers to investigate possible alibis.
Cleland questioned the "very broad representations made by the commonwealth" about when many of the alleged incidents occurred, but he denied all of the motions. He said he believed further information developed during the trial "now meets the standards of due process, though early on I was not persuaded that was the case."
Sandusky now faces 51 counts after prosecutors dropped the misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a child, an allegation that involved a man identified in the indictment as "Victim 7." He testified last week that the offense happened in 1995 or 1996, but the statute, which addresses unlawful contact with a child, didn't apply until 1997, prompting prosecutors to withdraw it.
Three other counts involving alleged victim No. 7 remain.
Cleland last week granted a defense motion to permit testimony from a psychologist that Sandusky has histrionic personality disorder, which might have led him to behave dramatically or inappropriately to get attention. They argued that that could raise reasonable doubt in jurors' minds that Sandusky's unorthodox statements and public actions are manifestations of the disorder, not seeking illegal sex with minors.
Does it matter if Sandusky has a personality disorder?
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It sounds like someone else needs to be investigated...
Guys shower together in a gym environment, but Sandusky did more than shower.
The enclosed text and comments that I wrote, are the opinions of one opinionated
Man, ME! The text in quotes in this comment are from this article posted on
U.S. News on msn.com Gotta give every one credit.
“The defense then began by calling former coaching colleagues of Sandusky, seeking
to demonstrate that as a famous football coach with many public commitments, he
wouldn't have had the time to plan and carry out the sex crimes he's accused
of.”
The way I see it, with Victim 9, He had all night to plan and carry out the sex crimes he’s accused of!
“Dick Anderson, a former Penn State assistant coach who
went on to be head football coach at Rutgers University and an assistant coach
in the National Football League, testified that coaches at prominent programs
"all had those responsibilities where we had to recruit, which meant
getting on the road."
Jees, Is that what they are calling it now a days? Getting on the road? Lol
"Jerry had probably more than us, being defensive coordinator and being a national
name,"
hehe… This sounds incriminating. Wait! They don’t get their words changed around to make them
look guilt like we would! Maybe Jerry’s record should be check? Just my
opinion.
HAHA!!! And then he says it!
“Anderson and another former Penn State
assistant coach, Booker Brooks, testified that it isn't unusual for coaches to
share showers with their players and youth camp charges after a day of hard
physical work, saying he had done so himself many times.”
@!$%# I remember when I was in the Army, man what a mistake, Our Drill Sargent didn’t shower with his troops or as they call it his charges.
Read the rest of this article and see how many more things you can use to make him look guilty. Lol. Just like the big boys. Lol. In no way do I condone what has been done. I’m just looking at this in a different light. If you don’t like it Kiss my ASSets. This is just my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
Thank You
Danny Hinkle
Elect The Dude for President!
Sorry for the multiple post but my IE was acting weird and it looked like they were not posting. It just took longer than I expected with today's technology and all.
Thank You
Danny Hinkle
Elect The Dude for President!
"We are....Penis State!"
That's priceless! Thank you for giving me one good laugh out of this disgusting mess.
Whoa....a coach by the name of Brook or Brooks takes his granddaughter into a sports club and because she's too young to go into a room by herself, showers with her? That little girls' parents better put a stop to that RIGHT NOW! I can't believe a defense lawyer would let a witness testify like that! These men are letches, pigs, pedophiles, and rapists.
I think this is as disturbing as anything I've read about what Sandusky has allegedly done. I hope this child's mother and father put a screeching halt to grandpa taking the little girl to the Y.
"Jerry had a very unique way, and many of us were inspired by this, how he could relate to youth of all ages and really get to their level and communicate," said David Pasquinelli, the fundraising consultant
Yeah, because that's what predatory pedophiles do to get the victims to trust them.
He did a lot of things with speaking engagements — not just Second Mile, but things he did for banquets" and other events around the country.
Correct me if I am wrong but are not banquets done in the evening to nighttime hours? How is this proof he didn't have time to molest boys? If anything it makes it more obvious the abuse occured by omission of the Victims when they spent the night and they all have previously stated they were 1st accosted at HIS home during sleepovers, the shower incidences we after he had already raped them in his house correct?
I sure hope the Jury is taking every word into context before making any decisions.
If this man has a Personality disorder then why is he instructing anyone on anything, wouldn't his disorder make him unable to properly train anyone even football players? Also why would you have someone hosting or representing you at banquets if they have a personality disorder, seems you would want to limit their time spent "in public" correct?
When I had young children we usually gave them a bath. As they grew older even as young as five, they took their own shower. We did not enter the bathroom and made sure of their privacy. When I was five and my dad took us to the " man's changing room, I may have seen 2 or 3 little girls come through, but all the men were " shocked " and towelled up! Where is our world these days? Grandfathers and fathers in the showers with their own? Come on....Sounds a bit sick and twisted to me. Besides, in the case of Sandusky, he was showering with ten different boys and was witnessed sodomizing one of them ' while another staff member witnessed. Is anybody paying attention?
If you look at the profile of a sexual predator, a pedophile, and the grooming process, you will see that this may falls into this psychological profile. It's in the DSM-IV diagnostic book for psychiatrists.
What do our psychologist' and psychiatrist' say about the showering with these young boys over a ten year period.
Do you think this is " normal behavior' for a man his age and size etc?
Last comment: If I were in a high position of authority like Mr. Sandusky, I would not be taking such risks involving " at troubled youth". Setting proper boundaries is one of the essentials of anyone involved in a charity dealing with children......
May the Full Story Come out. And if there are any other victims or their families, they need to step forward.
Communal showers is one thing. Heck, coaches being in there using the showers as well can be as innocent as it gets if nothing, say, ILLEGAL is going on. I've gone to camp, worked out in the gym, been in communal showers where everyone's individual goal is to...well...WASH.
And it was never co-ed...
The grandfather talking about taking his young granddaughter into the showers with him is CREEPY. Anyone still curious how this went on for so long? Aside from what we already know (and don't know...where IS that prosecutor who is presumed dead?) we are now hearing testimony from some pretty deranged people from his inner circle who might just need to become his next-door neighbors.
Really, now, a grandfather who thinks it's OK to shower with his young granddaughter in the MEN'S SHOWER is put on the stand to defend a pedophile. This doesn't scream insanity or anything at all.
Everything about this case makes me ill, to even look at this man makes me sick to my stomach. Showering with young boys normal? Showering with your young grand-daughter at the Y normal? If that's normal, it's a pretty sick world we live in, but who didn't know that. The fact that he can smile while he is being accused of these horrible acts against children is repulsive. The fact that his attorney thinks these accusers are doing this for money, worse. Sure, there are lots of young men that will sit on a witness stand, in front of the world and talk about being sexually abused by an older man to get a few bucks....I wonder if his attorney would let his kids or grandkids stay with Sandusky for a visit, probably not....but alas, they are just doing their job right? Defending a sicko like that...And the other people that witnessed these acts, or knew about it or suspected it, I hope you rot in Hell just like him...
Booker Brooks should have charges brought against him for showering with his granddaughter! Where in the heck do these people get thinking this is ok behavior? Oh yeah, and the guy who "saw" sandusky having sex with boy in shower...he is just as guilty as the rest for not doing anything but beat on a locker to let them know someone was there!! These boys trusted these animals I hope they hang them from the nearest tree as soon as the verdict comes back!
i agree....they are very very sick...and i mean the whole school. they need to fire everybody. they are all sick to have let this happen. how can a guy be getting away with this stuff? you mean to tell me that nobody knew about this idiot? i'd smack that scumbag across the head....what a dirtbag. they should casterate him and give him back to his stupid freakin' loser wife. she had to know what was going on....they are both sick. they are both pigs.....
Opps... I shouldn't have bent down to grab the soap.
Michael Jackson and Jerry would have made a good team.
Their so called "normal" is unreal! I have 3 children, 2 boys and a 3 year old girl and I would never shower with my daughter!! I pray that this jury does not get distracted with all of the technical garbage that the defense is throwing at them and just send this man to prison for the rest of his life!! I feel so sorry for all of those he has hurt and pray that one day they can leave it all behind them.
The non vetted illegal kenyan born pro gay potus is promoting immoral behavior. He and Barney Frank have asked the courts to be lenient on Sandusky after all he like all homosexual/predator/pedophiles cannot help themselves they just want your children. Sandusky to run for head in Boy Scouts
I see where the defense is going. They are trying to make the case that old men showering with little boys is normal, especially in Pennsylvania, and that these multiple victims simply mistook Jer's hugs to be good old Jer inserting his penis in their mouths and rectums.
Mental problems? What are you talking about? Of course he is mentally ill but so what? He knew what he was doing was wrong....he is a sicko....a sex pervert. His wife must have known something was up, how stupid is she? And how can the president of the university let this go on fOR TEN YEARS? This school is gonna pay up the yin-yang to these kids. Everybody has to pay for this....what a bunch of sick loser. It's as bad as the Vatican and all of their hypocrit predators......man, I would have went in there and knocked the piss out of this acswhole if I caught him doing this stuff. I WANNA KNOW WHERE THE UNIVERSITY WAS?.......THIS IS SOME SICK STUFF......THEY NEED TO HANG THIS GUY....AND QUICK...LET BUBBA TAKE CARE OF HIM.....TURN HIM INTO A CISSY LIKE HE IS...
Honestly, if I was the parent of the children that he raped, I would spit in every single person who testified on this pig's behalf. Let's not try and blame this on porn, OK? This man is a pedophile, very simple.
These loser Defense witnesses "showering" testimonies - like EVERYONE does it - remind me of when Imelda Marcos was "insulted" about accusations she had thousands of pairs of shoes in her closet.
"I did not have three thousand pairs of shoes, I had one thousand and sixty."
Oh... okay, then.
Or Dottie Sandusky's indignant protests that she NEVER made these boys eat dinner in the basement...because CLEARLY that was the most damning charges in her mind.....
Both him and his wife should be locked away with other child molesters.....don't tell me his wife didn't know about this?
I just can't believe this guy is for real. Like I said, it is like the Vatican and all of its pedophiliac priests.....
stick them all together on an island with some death role inmates.......forget about it. It's sick man...really sick stuff.
his wife had to know, she was covering for him. you cannot get me to believe that they had any kind of intimate life if he was that much into boys. a naked super model standing in front of him would not have interested him, let alone his wife. and this is just the ones that are known. I am sure there are many others out there who are not saying anything.
I was abused when I was young. Found out years later that the two people who did it were still involved with children, high school band trips and a childrens program. I put a stop to that. They were shown the door from those places. I know they were investigated at that point, don't know what happened.
Bryce D. you watch to much TV. Or you never been to jail, your so call child molester and pedophiliac, and rapist or any MAN that has case aganist him, that refer to SEX are all house together, no big black tryone or bubba there to give them the same treatment. All these (MEN) who like sex are together having fun, with gay Men. All having sex watching movie, and eating cookies and ice cream. So what is your point, Mr. All Men like sex and will continue to like sex untill the end of time, reguardless of age life and gender. So by your standard let kill all Men who like having sex, , and no I am not saying it is right that Men should have sex with minors here in the USA, not other countries, but here we have laws. But here our laws say Men can only have sex with his wife or girlfriend PERMISSION, but a woman can have sex as young as 12, 13, 14, and it is ok. I know it is reall sick stuff man really sick stuff.
The mother of the one victim that was encouraging him to go with sandusky, she must be sick to her stomach about that. she didn't know what was happening, and thought she was doing the right thing. I was in that situation many years ago, and the guy was mr. nice and my mother kept wanting me to go with him. she did not know what he was doing to me. I finally had enough. he abused me all night, then took me home. I had barely got up that afternoon and I heard the car. I was out the door and into the woods in seconds. did not go home until I knew he was gone. finally something. his whole punishment: my sister broke up with him. sanduskys defense is all garbage, he does not have any psych problem, he likes little boys. I hope the jurors will see through the garbage.
Isn;t that the truth....Having young kids of my own, My heart sunk when I read that. Its gut wrenching just to imagine what she must be dealing with. I don't know if I could ever forgive myself, regardless...
What a terrible person Sandusky is to affect these people's lives in this way and to take advantage of his position to prey on young boys. Our CJ system doesn't offer the punishment that he deserves.
I grew up playing sports as a young child and in school and I would have to agree with some of those here about the normalcy of the showering naked topic.
Its normal for older coaches/men to shower in a shared locker room with the older age level that they are coaching(college/highschool), BUT it is not normal for older men and coaches to be showering with young boys. There would be no reason that a college coach would be in the shower with a small child. That is not normal and its inappropriate for that age group.
Even if it were a training camp with young boys in a youth football league. The coaches should not be showering naked at the same time as the younger boys. At a minimum some gym shorts or swimming trunks should be worn by all if for some reason they have to shower at the same time.
In all my years of playing baseball and football, before I started playing in highschool, I never had a coach shower naked with the kids.
Brooks should not be taking his granddaughter into the men's shower room, and showering with her! What is he thinking?!?
It's all gonna come down to whether or not the jury believes the victims. They don't even have to believe McQueary, but they have to believe the men that testified about what was done to them. I have two sons, and I know they would never be able to state under oath that perverse things were done to them if they were not true. What guy would want it known that he was forced to 'lick' (for lack of a better term) an old man? Seriously? Their names have been made made public, even if the media thankfully refrains from publishing them. So they are on record, for eternity, admitting what was done to them. There is not enough money in the world to make any guy do that, and I believe they are owed plenty for their humiliation and suffering.
Ms. Lovell Women do!