Sandusky Waives Preliminary Hearing
STATE COLLEGE (KDKA) -- Former Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky waived his preliminary hearing on child sexual abuse charges at the courthouse this morning in Centre County.
The 8:30 a.m. hearing was set to come more than a month after investigators filed dozens of child sex abuse charges against Sandusky.
Last month, investigators arrested the retired PSU football coach on 40 counts of molesting eight boys over a 15-year span. He was then taken into custody again last week on new charges, which stemmed from the testimony of two additional accusers.
KDKA's Harold Hayes reports from the courthouse that the prosecutor said there has been no discussions of a plea bargain. Also, prosecutors were prepared to call 11 witnesses at the hearing.
Meanwhile, the attorney for Victim 1 said this morning his client was ready to testify, but says the waiver has the same effect without having to testify twice.
Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola said that he told the prosecutor Monday night he could call off his witnesses.
Attorneys Caroline Roberto and Tom Farrell, who represent former athletic director Tim Curley and former PSU administrator Gary Schultz - who are both facing perjury charges - entered the courtroom just after 7:30 a.m. as observers.
Curley and Schultz face preliminary hearings Friday in Harrisburg.
Sandusky and his lawyer arrived in the courtroom just before 8 a.m. Shortly after his arrival, 14 members of Sandusky's family, including his wife Dottie, entered the courtroom.
News of him waiving the hearing came down just after 8:30 a.m.
The charges reportedly follow a two-year grand jury investigation after a teenage boy said Sandusky had inappropriate contact with him over a four-year period.
Sandusky's attorney says his client maintains his innocence.
Many of Sandusky's accusers were expected to testify at the hearing.
Also expected on the stand was Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary. He testified before a grand jury that he saw Sandusky engaged in a sexual act with a boy in a shower inside the team's locker room in 2002.
Meanwhile, throngs of reporters converged in Centre County for the hearing. The courtroom seats about 200 people and about 100 were expected to be filled by reporters.
KDKA's Andy Sheehan and Harold Hayes will have live team coverage of the case throughout the day. Stay with KDKA for the latest developments.
MORE: KDKA Coverage Of The Penn State Sex Abuse Scandal
WARNING Contains Graphic Material: New Grand Jury Presentment (12/7)
WARNING Contains Graphic Material: Read The Entire Grand Jury Presentment
AG, PSP Commissioner Statements: Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
LINK: Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office
LINK: Penn State Nittany Lions
