The judge in the Jerry Sandusky Penn State case, John Cleland, has refused to dismiss the charges against the former assistant football coach, the Los Angles Times is reporting. Cleland hasn’t explained his reasoning for ruling against the defense’s motion to have the charges dismissed.
As a result, the 62-year-old Sandusky will face 52 counts of abusing 10 boys over the course of a 15-year period. Some of the incidents reportedly occurred at Penn State, about 10 miles from the courthouse in Bellefonte. Opening statements in the trial, which will be held at the courthouse, are scheduled to begin on Monday.
The ruling is the latest blow to Sandusky’s defense, which unsuccessfully sought to delay the start of the trial. The defense had maintained that it needs more time to evaluate the evidence. But Cleland and appeals court judges rejected that argument.
However, the defense did win its notion to keep the trial in Sandusky’s home area. About half of the jurors selected for the case, seven women and five men, are said to have some degree of connection to the university. Cleland said the trial is expected to last several weeks.
Two other Penn State administrators were charged with perjury and failing to report the abuse. Athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz are set to stand trial on these charges.
Written by: Karen Benardello
