Jerry Sandusky Trial: Three days of witnesses for the defense
(CBS/AP) BELLEFONTE, Pa. - Although it was initially expected to last several weeks, the case of the people versus Jerry Sandusky is expected to go to the jury Thursday after just eight days of testimony.
Pictures: Child-sex scandal rocks Penn State
The former assistant Penn State football coach faces 51 counts of child-sex abuse and could spend the rest of his life in prison if convicted.
Last week, Crimesider summarizedthe prosecution's case, which unfolded over five days and included testimony from seven young men who accused Sandusky of crimes including fondling their genitals, oral and anal rape. Many of the crimes are alleged to have taken place in one of PSU's locker rooms or the basement of Sandusky's home.
The defense began putting on its case Monday morning. Here are highlights from some of the witnesses called by the defense:
Monday, June 18:
Richard Anderson: A retired member of the PSU football coaching staff testified that Sandusky had a "good" reputation and was devoted to his charity, "The Second Mile," and the boys involved. Anderson also testified that he had showered with boys at the YMCA but admitted on cross-examination that he never brought boys into the shower with him, instead "they were there."
Booker T. Brooks: Another former member of the PSU football coaching staff, Brooks testified that Sandusky had an "exemplary, top-notch" reputation. When asked whether he had ever showered with young kids after a workout, he said yes.
Corporal Joseph Leiter: An investigator for the state police, Leiter was grilled by Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, about whether he shared information about some victims' accusations with other potential victims, thus planting seeds that might grow into false accusations. Leiter admitted that he did share some information and explained his actions by saying, "Each of these accusers was very, very seriously injured, and very concerned, and we had told them - especially prior to going to the grand jury - that they wouldn't be alone, that there were others."
Tuesday, June 19:
Elaine Steinbacher: A long-time friend of the Sandusky's, Steinbacher told the court "we all revere Jerry," and testified that she had seen the young man known as "Victim 4" come to Sandusky's house to introduce him to his new baby.
Mother of "Victim 1": The defense questioned one of the accusers' mothers' about whether she had made statements about benefiting financially from her son's allegations against Sandusky. The woman denied making any such statement. The defense then called her former neighbor, a man named Josh Favel, who testified that the woman once spoke with him about Sandusky, saying, among other things, "I'll own his house." Favel also testified that Victim 1 told him "when all this was over I will have a nice, new Jeep."
Dorothy "Dottie" Sanduksy: Sandusky's wife of 45 years testified the she never saw anything inappropriate between her husband and the many young boys who spent the night at their home or traveled with them to football games. Dottie Sandusky characterized her husband's accusers as alternately "conniving," "charming" and "demanding." She told the court that when the couple had boys sleep over, her husband would go to the basement to "tell them goodnight" but testified that she didn't fall asleep before him.
Elliot Atkins: The psychologist testified that he had interviewed Sandusky for six hours, examined the so-called "creepy love letters" the former coach sent some of his alleged victims, and read his memoir, "Touched." He subsequently diagnosed Sandusky with histrionic personality disorder. According to the National Institutes of Health, histrionic personality disorder is "a condition in which people act in a very emotional and dramatic way that draws attention to themselves."
Wednesday, June 20
David Hilton: The former Second Miler camper, now 21, testified that he met Sandusky when he was in the fifth grade and thought of the former coach as a "father figure." He told the court he had been to the Sandusky house many times, gone swimming with him and traveled as far as California with the defendant. He said he had never taken a shower with Sandusky, He also testified that when he was questioned about his relationship with Sandusky he felt investigators "were trying to get me say something that wasn't true.
Additional reporting by CBS News' Paula Reid in Bellefonte, Pa.
Complete coverage of the Jerry Sandusky trial on CBSNews.com
