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Subscribe to RSSA lawyer for one of the alleged victims of Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State football coach who now faces 40 counts of child sex abuse, says Sandusky's long New York Times interview raises new questions about whether he may have attempted to influence witnesses just before he got indicted. NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.
While under investigation by a criminal grand jury for allegedly sexually abusing young boys, Jerry Sandusky said he spoke to and even dined with men now identified as his victims. The 67-year-old former Penn State assistant coach accused of sexually abusing young boys for more than a decade holds up these encounters as proof of his innocence, but a lawyer for at least one of the victims believes they could be criminal.
“One of the questions that raised in my mind, ‘Was this an effort on his part to tamper with witnesses?’” said Howard Janet, a Baltimore attorney representing the man known in the grand jury report of Sandusky as Victim 6. “Was it intended as a way to influence the public or the prospective jury pool?”
In early November, Sandusky was charged with 40 counts of sexually abusing boys over a period of about 14 years. But the community knew of the investigation months earlier.
The story went public on March 31, when the Patriot News newspaper broke the story that a grand jury had been convened to look into allegations that Sandusky abused a 15-year-old Clinton County, Pa., boy, now known as Victim 1.
The following day, Sandusky’s lawyer, Joe Amendola, issued a statement saying that his client was prepared to fight.
“Should the allegations, as set forth in today’s newspaper article eventually lead to the institution of criminal charges against Jerry, Jerry fully intends to establish his innocence and put these false allegations to rest forever,” he said.
Interviews with lawyers and the grand jury report show that in the months that followed, Sandusky made several attempts to contact boys who had participated in the charity he founded -- the Second Mile – and who later testified before the grand jury, prompting Janet to question whether Sandusky tried to sway the outcome of the investigation.
Witness tampering in the state of Pennsylvania is defined as any act with the intent to intimidate a witness or victim to “refrain from reporting a crime, withhold or give false or misleading information, or to ignore or evade requests for information or a summons.”
Under state penal codes, witness tampering is considered equal to the most serious offense a defendant is charged with. Among the charges against Sandusky are multiple first-degree felonies, which carry maximum sentences of up to 20 years in prison.
Sandusky has not been charged with tampering or intimidation of witnesses.
A 'reunion' dinner
In July, Sandusky called Victim 6 and asked him to dinner. Sandusky framed it as a “reunion” of former Second Mile children, Janet said. Police asked the alleged victim to wear a wire, Janet said, but he eventually decided not to because he was nervous.
Victim 6 testified before the grand jury that Sandusky showered with him on the Penn State campus. Sandusky was investigated in 1998 after the boy’s mother reported the incident to the police. Sandusky at the time admitted that he had showered with the boy – as well as another youth whose name surfaced in the subsequent investigation -- and was advised by a Penn State University detective not to do it again. The district attorney closed the case.
On the night of the July dinner, Victim 6 said he met Sandusky at his home then continued on, along with Sandusky’s wife, to a local restaurant. Janet said his client was “surprised” to find no other former Second Mile children he knew among those at the restaurant, but he finished the dinner and reported back to the police.
In an interview with NBC, Janet said it was “inconceivable” that Sandusky did not know he was under investigation at the time. “It was public knowledge and it was widely reported,” he said.
According to Amendola, Sandusky’s lawyer, Victim 2 was also at the dinner. Victim 2 is the boy who Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary testified to seeing being raped by Sandusky in the showers in Penn State’s Lasch Football Building in 2002. Victim 2, however, has not been identified by prosecutors and did not testify at the grand jury.
Amendola told reporters in November that a man he believes is Victim 2 had appeared in his office weeks before to say he had no sexual contact with Sandusky.
Amendola said that both Victims 2 and 6 maintained a relationship with the Sanduskys in recent years, including visiting their home and attending other dinners. The July dinner, he said, was friendly. “Neither of them had any knowledge 2 or 6 had been or were going to be questioned” by the grand jury, and there was no mention of the investigation, Amendola wrote in a statement to NBC.
“Jerry and Dottie have maintained positive contact with 2 and 6 as well as many other kids they helped who have grown into adulthood over the years,” he said. ”They are both deeply saddened and perplexed by the allegations.”
Sandusky and his wife also reached out to at least one other alleged victim prior to his testifying, according to the grand jury report. Victim 7, a former Second Mile participant who Sandusky allegedly met around 1994, told the grand jury that weeks before his testimony, Sandusky, his wife, and an unidentified friend left several messages on his voicemail. It had been nearly two years since he last spoke or had contact with Sandusky. Victim 7 said he did not return their calls.
Sandusky confirmed to the The New York Times that he had contacted at least one of his accusers but did so believing he would serve as a character witness. He said he did not know the prosecution had listed the individual as a victim.
An unorthodox defense strategy
Sandusky’s defense has so far been unorthodox. He spoke live to NBC’s Bob Costas following his arrest and last week gave an extended interview to the New York Times.
Asked by Costas if he was sexually attracted to young boys, Sandusky said, "Sexually attracted, no -- I enjoy young people, I love to be around them."
The New York Times revisited the comment last week in an extended, four-hour interview in which reporter Jo Becker asked Sandusky about his answer to Costa's question.
"If I say, no, I'm not attracted to boys, that's not the truth because I'm attracted to young people, boys, girls," Sandusky said.
Amendola, sitting nearby, jumped in. "Yeah, but not sexually, you're attracted because you enjoy spending time..." he said.
"Right, I enjoy, that's what I was tryin' to say, answer that," Sandusky clarified. "I enjoy spending time with young people. I enjoy spending time with people."
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And this guy is out on the street because?
This guy's more like Jerry Springer - he can't keep quiet.
Because his version of the truth is as real as 9/11 and Santa Clause.
Because he is supposed to be innocent until proven guilty. Or maybe you are right, after 9/11 just the appearances of being a Muslim is reason enough to be guilty. My apologies!
I can't imagine this guy not trying to intimidate his victims. He's been able to keep them quiet for years, he was able to get out on $100,000 bail without spending a penny, and we've got what seems to be quite a few people in that town who are silent when they should be screaming out.
I'd say there needs to be a whole lot of investigating going on, a decoy set up, and a lot of behind the scenes FBI-type work on this guy who was not only able to rape children openly, but conduct a boys youth camp with lord only knows what going on there.
Hmmm....I don't understand why someone who is abused would accept the dinner invitation of the abuser. Makes me wonder, what was the relationship? That's like a rapist inviting the woman he raped to dinner....would you go?
Its hard to believe that all these people came forward and said this guy actually sexually (whatever he did to them) and on top of that a guy seen him doing it too. So its unlikely that he's innocent of these charges. Now victim No.6 might of liked it and so he had dinner with the guy. Once in a while your going to get lucky and find someone thats going to like it. Ok, what bothers me here is the comment above that says Santa Claus isn't true? Come on master benjamin gates, thats not true, is it?
From Penn State to the State Penn. Mr. Sandusky; this is who you will showering with from now on ..... meet your new husband, Bubba.
such actions probably relate to how an abuser might influence perceptions ...what may have been implied in the invitation... admission? We may never know what transpired with Victim 2 in this meeting. Regarding Victim 6, sounds like his goal was prosecution:
This guy is as sick as they come, and people like that don't really even deserve media coverage, but I guess that's what makes a slow newsday so exciting, stories just like this one!
@At Sally in Chicago
I ten year old boy or girl cannot consent to have sex with an adult under any circumstances. Even if he or she likes it.
You seem to be of the "blame the victim" persuasion.
He hasn't had his day in court....Are we now convicting a person via public opinion?
Supposing this guy turns out innocent? I remember that case in Calif where the people at the day care center were convicted of all sorts of perversions and later found to be innocent after it was learned how the prosecution got the kids to say what they wanted them to say. I along with all of you do not know what or if this man is guilty of. We have a system of justice in America that says you are innocent until such time as a jury or judge pronounces you guilty as charged and is beyond a reasonible doubt. I cannot imagine how anyone can me mistreated like this and live for years as these people have without raising the red flag long ago...
With every word I read about this guy, he gets slimier and more vile.
Throw him in jail and never let him out. He's entitled to a trial, but the only verdict he's entitled to is "guilty as charged."
This is different. One thing has nothing to do with the other.
No. We are CONDEMNING an evil person and his evil actions in the court of public opinion.
He will be CONVICTED in a court of law.
There's a difference, and this creep deserves BOTH the condemnation AND the conviction.
Uhhh, Breadex, the case you site in California is most likely the McMartin Preschool trial. And there is A HUGE DIFFERENCE. The prosecution coerced and coached the testimony of ACTUAL CHILDREN, AS IN MINORS! The Sandusky victims are adults!!! No one is holding up a rag doll to the Sandusky victims and telling them "isn't this [touching between the doll's legs] where they touched you? If you say 'yes' you can have that cookie."
Cut off his manhood and set him free
Captain Pete, Yup!
Sally in Chicago, because the abused are led to believe that they are responsible for the abuse. If they had only resisted more or fought the abuser, the abuse would never have happened. If they had not first placed trust in the abuser, the abuse would never have happened. The abuse is all their fault and they should never bring it up to shame themselves and their families.
I am so happy that you were never abused and therefore display such ignorance about abuse. Talk to a seasoned battered wife or girlfriend. Talk to a seasoned battered child. Talk to a seasoned sexually abused adult or child. Their feelings of unworthiness and shame are indoctrinated over a period of time by the abuser. The abuse only happened because they asked for it. The abuser only answered their own call such depravity.
Until you truly understand the nature of the controlling abuser and the innocently abused, you perpetuate and allow such abuse. That is why it continues today with such a stigma on the victims.
This is guy is out on the street because he's white and privileged and that's who designed our justice system. Pedophilia is an ancient disorder and I bet there are many like him in the justice system; why are pedophiles given such light sentences? It amazes me how some people are still protecting this sicko. Makes me wonder how many pedophiles are right here on the vine... Degenerates!
If I were only the father.
If you read the above article, Victim 6 went to the dinner to meet Sandusky while he was working with police. They wanted him to wear a wire when he went. He didn't go because he liked Sandusky so much, as some of you are saying. The article says he reported back to the police after the dinner to let them know what was said.
Because he has been granted bail, which is pretty much the normal practice for accused criminals who are not deemed either a flight risk or an immanent danger to the public.
There are really not too many places to which he can run, and I don't think any parent in the western hemisphere will be allowing him unsupervised contact with their young children.
As to these prior victims, if they are all adults, they have the ability to just say no to any dinner invitations. Sandusky is an old man and as of a couple of weeks ago,when all this hit the fan, he has about as much political clout as a cow pie.
People just need to be patient. Mr. Sandusky is going to get everything he has coming to him in the end, probably literally.
Also, there is no firm reason to believe that "victim 2" was actually at the dinner. Law enforcement say they have not identified that victim; it is just Sandusky's claim that this person was the boy McQueary saw. He could easily be a child he never touched. If McQueary and the rest of the people at Penn State who supposedly investigated the report when it originally happened never identified the child, there is no way to know if the person that Sandusky claims was the child McQueary saw that day is actually the same person. Hope that made sense... :P
Regarding intimidation: remember from the Grand Jury report that after the janitor saw Sandusky assaulting one of the kids in the shower, (he then told two other janitors), Sandusky was seen by them cruising the parking lot near the entrance where the janitors would exit, back and forth, until 2:00 am.
I still want to know what really happened to DA Ray Gricar.
It appears to me that the whole area is full of sick sex freaks, condoners of child molestion, and supporters of child rape. It sounds like the DA, Joe Paterno, the school administrators and employees, the people throwing these dinners, the students who knew and participated, and everyone else that put up with hearing him being told "just don't do it again" and going on without demanding he be thrown in jail AT THAT POINT. Christ, the guy is still out walking around. What is even more sickening is seeing a stand full of people dressed in the sick sex freak Penn State colors and waving their little pom poms screaming GO PENN STATE FOOTBALL! You people in that school, that town, and that State are utterly sickening and disgusting. Your poor children. And it's still going on. THE FREAK IS OUT ON THE STREETS LIKE NOTHING HAPPENED!
yeah, isn't it scary Pat?
@ Sally in Chicago: Sexual abuse has nothing to do with sex. Abuse (physical, mental, sexual) is all about power and control - anyone in the field of helping victims of abuse (lawyers, judges, social workers, shelter workers, etc.) will tell you that. Battered wives and children are constantly being told that they "deserved" to get beaten because ... [insert the batterer's flimsy excuse]. The idea is to make the victim feel responsible for their pain and believe that others will condemn them if they report their abuser. It is important to remember that abusers of any kind are MASTER manipulators; they will do and say ANYTHING to regain control of those who they are abusing. And, it is a BIZAARE relationship that develops. I know of one case where a woman was SHOT in the neck by her live-in "boyfriend"; she survived, and RETURNED to him - even when everyone around her urged her not to! Who DOES that?? - Only those who have been conditioned to believe they deserved it, they somehow "wanted" it, and are responsible for it - and have formed an emotional "bond" with their abuser, and are under his/her control, even when they are no longer in his/her presence or his/her life.
Getting someone to do something they would otherwise NEVER do is the ULTIMATE power and control over someone else's will. Abusers are control freaks - and Sandusky fits that model. (I am discussing this assuming all of these boys' allegations, and witness testimony - made under oath to a Grand Jury - are true.) As soon as the boys got old enough to stand up to him or pull away, he got angry (others witnessed "screaming matches" with the boys who resisted his attempts to get them to "devote more time" to him or leave class at his insistence), he became "needy" and "clingy," calliing at least one boy over 50 times even when the boy never returned his calls. This is not atypical.
I am not a psychologist - but I have worked in TRO clinics and counseled victims on the difference between anger, rage and abuse, so the victims seeking a Restraining Order know what they are up against. (Anger, rage and abuse all have very different dynamics. Victims of abuse of any kind need to understand the degree to which their abusers will go to regain control of them, including crying, apologies, gifts, sweet talk, repeatedly declaring, "I love you," playfullness, minimizing, blaming the victim, even deadly force. I emphasize to the victims, "You must be vigilent to protect yourself. A piece of paper will not stop a bullet.") In Sandusky's case, these boys were given gifts, invitations to big football games (and at least one was threatened with being sent home if they did not "cooperate"). Each time they were sent an invitation to some great event they would otherwise NEVER have had access to, they had to weigh out in their young minds, "Do I want to risk having him [name the act] me again? Well, maybe this time it won't happen...." That is common place thinking on the part of abuse victims when they allow their abuser access to them again.
If you can understand this dynamic, these boys' "connecting" behaviors after their split with Sandusky may make more sense. Remember, they were BOYS when this happened to them. They were not from households where there was a lot of support or a strong male figure - That is why they were sent to Second Mile in the first place. These are not kids who have a healthy sense of self esteem to begin with, and Sandusky - who held himself out as a father figure (in his words) - repeatedly told each victim that he "loved" them. Moreover, Sandusky apparently tested a lot more boys than he molested. Those that did not "submit" or who reacted negatively were rejected and not invited to football games, special events, etc., as were the other boys in his "inner circle". The more they submitted, the more privileges they got. By this method, the most vulnerable kids, who were more maluable or submissive, got "culled" from the rest. Pedophiles do that systematically. That is why each boy who was victimized (and even those who were rejected) describes a similar pattern to Sandusky's behavior. He hooked these boys emotionally and still has his hooks in them to some degree.
I hope that helps...
Yes, they DO deserve the media coverage Robert. As a parent, I want to know who these POS animals are. I want to know what community they are in. I want to know what organizations they are affiliated with.
"Innocent until proven guilty" I guess doesn't apply when someone like this guy has already been tried, convicted, and executed in the court of public opinion.
When you have two eye witnessed accounts of the abuse it is hard to see this as anything but a guilty but you are correct, it should go to a jury and maybe if MSNBC didn't print stories about his dinners, it wouldn't interfere with the jury pool. Yes that is a hint.
He's the nitwit who insists on starting the trial in the press.
He has surely been what some of call "Nancy Graced"
Look people schools have a code. Do not make waves for this school or you will be punished. It affects recruiting and it affects contributions. Bring it to the right person then shut the hell up. Happens in every major or minor school in this country and some aboroad. One reason for this is jelous and get aheads try to pull the rug out from under rivals with false accusations. Think about it.
Legally, he is presumed 'innocent' until 'proven' guilty, but he did what he's been charged with, and that makes him guilty in an absolute sense.
He's entitled to a trial, but he is NOT entitled to a verdict of "not guilty".
He should spend the rest of his life behind bars, where he presents no danger to children.
Correctumundo Gotnorice!
He's done, stick a fork in him. The evidence is not only overwhelming but in his two interviews he clearly demonstrates he is not a man who's innocent. A guy who is innocent doesn't say the things he's said and the way he said them. His lawyer had to do a two step quick step to try to rescue him a second time when he is asked if he is sexually attracted to young boys but it was too late. Attorney Bob Costas asked him the same question and he fell over that too. The truth has a way of coming out inspite of your self.
Aside from the related requirement of proof beyond a reasonable doubt, the presumption of innocence is largely symbolic. The reality is that no defendant would face trial unless somebody—the crime victim, the prosecutor, a police officer—believed that the defendant was guilty of a crime. After the government has presented enough evidence to constitute Probable Cause to believe that the defendant has committed a crime, the accused need not be treated as if he or she was innocent of a crime, and the defendant may be jailed with the approval of the court.
http://legal-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Presumption+of+Innocence
Presumed innocence and "the court of public opinion" have nothing to do with each other until a judge decides that, if the case is to go to trial, Sandusky can't receive a fair trial in a particular venue. Then the state has to do some juggling to find a fair venue.
The press have every right to slather their pages and screens with Sandusky's face and his words, to offer conjecture, to comment. You have every right to complain about it, but don't expect perp walks and "exposés" to disappear because they offend your sensibilities.
Jerry Sandusky and Herman Cain need to get out of the news media and into a psychiatrist's office. Both men are in denial of the OBVIOUS.
They are the only ones not seeing what kind of scum they are.
You're comparing Herman Cain to Sandusky? That's like comparing Bill Clinton to Sandusky. Depends what your definition of is is.
In the words of Bill Clinton, "Suck it!"
no sandusky is not in the same boat....what he did was ilegal....cheating on your wife while it might be less than virtuous its not ilegal and involves consenting adults...sexually abusing a ten year old boy who cannot consent to sex with an adult...is not only imoral but ilegal and criminal...and has been been for many many years now...so one cannot claim ignorance of the law...its universally accepted that sexual abuse of a child is ilegal in most western nations.
tomorrowsnews, you are out of your mind. You are trying to compare consensual adult relations (albeit, cheating) with the abuse of children? I'm starting to think you are the one with the "twisted mind."
Furthermore, the desert island scenario you speak of - Only Cain and Clinton will be fighting over the Penthouse magazine, duh! Unless Penthouse has suddenly put pictures of naked boys in it's publication.
Can we just put this stinking bastard behind bars? I have to echo Mogul here: Why is this piece of @!$%# walking free? Damn! Every time I read about this @!$%# it makes my blood boil. And Gotnorice,there are thousand of people in jail awaiting trial because there are considered too dangerous or a flight risk. This guy needs to be behind bars now! He is a danger to every young man he meets.
And you sir need your mouth washed out with clorox...It kills filth.
Captain Pete-Go to your account page on Newsvine. You'll find a profanity filter. Turn it on so I dont have to read your childish admonition. It's called adult language and since you are too immature, priggish or hyper-sensitive to deal with it just turn on that filter so you wont be offended. Grow up little boy. ( And speaking of filth, Sandusky deserves every vulgar name I can think of.)
Is priggish a bad word?
I'm sorry, I don't care what the psychologists say, this guy just doesn't act like a sex offender, hay wait a minuite what does a sexoffender act like?
LuisM,
Many of them never do look different. They can live next door, on your street, you can work with someone.
You could know someone for years and be blown away when they are caught as happened with a what we on my street considered a super person. He participated in sports with kids, was great with his kids from what we saw as you second guess yourself. His wife and him were friends, that we had over for dinners and parties, etc. His wife was totally devastated and broken when he was arrested and now jailed. She has since divorced him. She still questions herself whether there was something he did or said and she didn't pick up on it believing 'if she only had', she could have protected those children. She will never be the same.
meede1,
I have a story exactly like the one you just explained...Wife broken hearted, 3 kids devastated, and yes, he's in the slammer, just where he should be....A very strange addiction to say the least...
The successful child predator acts like someone who can be trusted around children.
commonsense-a post that lives up to your name. Very good point.
I was married to one. I can tell you firsthand that it is usually the last person that you would expect. Churchgoing, goes to work every day, kind, sociable - not the scummy, lowlife that you would expect.
And trust me, as soon as I found out, I immediately went to the police (and moved out in one fell swoop). The police treated the case like I was just a "disgruntled spouse" trying to exact revenge on her husband. They filed the case away for a YEAR and didn't act upon it until the girl's parents finally decided to report it in their home state.
So many lives devastated...it's a tragedy that child sexual abuse is so commonplace.
Is it true that Sandusky is out on bail and that the judge that ordered this is on his Second Mile charity board of directors? Given the allegations against him I think he or anyone like him should not be free to walk around unitl his trial begins. Our whole justice system is a joke. Pediphiles should be shot on sight.
He is out. The Judge volunteered and attended events for the charity. She has since been replaced. Unfortunately, they didn't reverse the 'release'
Was the judge that is on the Second mile Charity board and also allowed him to place bail, hot?
Wouldn't it be something if the Judge let this guy out on bail to walk the streets, then he molests the judges kid. It wouldn't be funny at all, but it would be ironic. The judge should be protecting the population from this monster, that population includes her family members as well. She should be in jail right next to him for enabling him.
He'll have his day in court but his victims will have to live their lives forever with this memory. Shame on everyone involved with Sandusky; they had to have known--this type of action is repetitive. For the victims; I hope a monetary settlement and a day in court will allow you to go and grow.
psychoannie; Thats a good post and I have to admit the monetary settlement would make me feel better. Do you think its too late for me to claim a little sexual molestation myself now? I know its not right trying to get money from a State college and a pervert like this guy, (if he is a pervert) if he didn't do anything to me but I'm broke right now and Christmas is coming. Ok, I know I won't get the money for this Christmas but maybe sometime during the yr. Penn State will offer me a quick settlement without going to court and this way I can pay for this Christmas and be ready for next Christmas too. Right now I'm hoping President Obama will give me somekind of a stimulus, but I'm not holding my breath, so what would you do?
I know many of you are going to disagree with me on this, but I really don't think these victims are out for money. I think they want people to know the truth about this guy, so he can't hurt any more children.
Amendola, sitting nearby, jumped in. "Yeah, but not sexually, you're attracted because you enjoy spending time..." he said.
"Right, I enjoy, that's what I was tryin' to say, answer that," Sandusky clarified. "I enjoy spending time with young people. I enjoy spending time with people."
Thanks lawyer for reminding me I'm not a child molester!
Am I the only one who remembers how much Michael Jackson enjoyed spending time with children? Maybe Sandusky could hire Dr. Murray as his personal physician...
Joe Amendola must have gotten his law degree by mailing in cereal box tops. It's almost as if he's trying to set Sandusky up with a ready-made "ineffective assistance of counsel" appeal.
Amendola married a young girl he impregnated to keep from being charged with statutory rape! Furthermore, if Sandusky was put in jail until the hearing, he wouldn't be able to witness tamper (no point intended) at this point.
I am wondering if the attorney is shooting for a mistrial and/or an insanity plea?
They said the same thing about Jose Baez!
This guy needs a better lawyer! Sheesh!
Actually, Sandusky and his lawyer are almost two peas in a pod. His lawyer who was I believe in his 40's at the time, impregnated a 16 year old and then married her. Sick. Sandusky and his lawyer deserve each other and clearly the lawyer has bad judgment so he'll be crap in Court. Sure to get Sandusky tossed for a loooooonnnnngggg time!!!
this is america; this is a white man; this is a heterosexual man; this is an older man; this is a sports demi-god; this is a Wealth man. if he were none of these characteristics in america, we would not be having these discussions about an adult molesting these kids. he has an opportunity to be innocent until proven guilty (the process will be SLOW, sloppy, drawn out forever...), as well as tamper with the witnesses, have interviews on TV and manipulate a public relations nightmare. justice in america is all about how much money and power you have. the very power structure which permitted him to molest so many beings is the same one that will continue to protect him. we're entertaining the justice systems management of his case because we're used to this bs; it'll be years before a verdict is reached; if guilty it'll be a lesser sentence and he will NOT serve any time in prison.
How can you call him hetrosexual? He's attracted to boys (little boys).
YUP
I think it has something to do with football. Every time I go to the local strip club on a Monday, I end up with half the dancers just sitting at my table and drinking, because most of the loud, obnoxious, crowd doesn't really seem to like women. They would rather watch some guy "take it in the end zone" than flirt with pretty girls.
I think pedaphiles can go either way, boys or girls.
Ditto-buddheus, I agrre completely with your point of truth/reality/-and the obvious mis-fortune of living in a country where your prominence, friends, cohorts, and the power structure saves him from the very deeds he pressed upon his victims. (DAMN) what a shame. To envision seeing him taking showers with all those males that he claims he loves to do. He will be in shower heaven. I pray that the truth comes out and if (for lack of a better word) he is guilty I hope he gets his just reward. A big CIGAR!!!!!
SonofMollyM; ahh those were the days when I was going to a somewhat local strip club. Your right, most of the guys that go to strip clubs are so perverted or they hate women. The women don't want nothing to do with either one. The ones that seem like they hate women go there to harrass the dancers, they treat the women poorly, but like you said, they would more than likely get down on their knees if a pro football player came into the club. Yeah I miss those days, like a dummy I went and got married when I had all those women treating me really well. Well divorced now and wanting to go back to the club, they closed it and I really don't know of a club thats close enough for me to go to now. The closest strip club from me now is about 40 miles and I do like to have a few beers when I go watch them dance, so I would end up in jail. What a bummer, why did I go and get married to that evil women for when I had all those nice ladies to party with. Bummer, bummer, bummer.
His lawyer is an idiot. Mabye Sandusky is giving him vanilla milk shakes through his big straw for payment.
YUK.....LOL
No, he's exposing his client's character. He has the perfect platform to do such with every media outlet transferring every movement nationally. It's clear Amendola is not interested in any plea bargains.
There really isn't a bargain available that will offer eventual freedom to Sandusky -- even if he avoided being murdered in prison. So the next best thing Sandusky can have his lawyer do is to have him sentenced to a mental facility.
As all nationally-exposed cases do eventually find their jury pool, this case will fill its seats, as well. What you're seeing now is what Amendola and his jury picking specialists will ardently seek those whom display the leaning ear for finding out what went wrong with Sandusky, not so much the implied guilt. Amendola is doing a great job of putting 'that Sandusky' out there, presently. His whole case is down to proving a nutcase be confined or a criminal be incarcerated.
An idiot, Amendola is not.
I do not have inside information...However...Tampering with witnesses and the judges alleged involvement in his charity should be taken into consideration...This man should be treated like any other accused American...That means he would usually stay in jail due to the seriousness of the charges.
As to the idea that someone could walk into a room and see a man having sex with a boy, and not #1 stop it...#2 report it to police...#3 Resist the urge to kick the crap out of him while police arrive...Is beyond me.
If this guy is found guilty...Penn State is in serious trouble..And should be...The Catholic Church should lose their tax free status, after the BS they have pulled.
I hope there is hell...And I am agnostic...For POS that prey on children...Rapists too....If you are a deviant that needs this kind of sex...You have serious mental issues and should seek help...If it means suicide...We have an assist here in Oregon...Just tell 'em your sick.
hairfarmer, the judge was a volunteer. Not sure yet in what capacity. Not a member of the board of directors. it is entirely possible as a volunteer, she never even met sanduskey, and therefore had no reason the recuse. The bail was set as such due to the fact the man cannot even go to the bathroom without 10 journalists following, so how is he going to run, or repeat crimes? if guilty, everyone is safer where he can be seen often.
The appearance of a connection means they should be removed.
....It is a normal part of a legal procedure....Sorry...If you have a remote connection...It is a conflict of interest.
There is just something SOOOOOO NOT RIGHT about this. Either he is so shrewd and calculating that every move he makes is strategy...or he is the most ignorant, oblivious, and naive man this side of Michael Jackson!
Sandusky and Michael Jackson? First Michael Jackson was not ever indicted for any crime. Second Michael Jackson did not have multiple in this case 5 adults come forward and say they were sexually abused. Third Michael Jackson was accused by a Adult on behalf of a child that claimed not to be sexually assaulted. Fourth the dude is dead, let it go.
Sandusky has been indicted, has multiple victims that have come forward, and has eye witnesses. Focus on the real criminals not the freaks.
Michael jackson had sorrow in teh midst of fame and wealth and was abused and is indeed dead. Please don't mix this up with the Michael Jackson case. Jackson has gone to his fair reward, and thus the case he was in is no longer an issue.
Are you two reading what I wrote...or just what you want to read?
Michael Jackson was an extremely naive man. He was misunderstood and prone to misunderstandings. He, too, spoke innocently about his feelings for children. IF Mr. Sandusky is also that naive, then he can be compared to Michael Jackson accurately.
And I am not sure how to address your statement that Michael Jackson was never indicted...except to write that yes, he was! He was also tried and found not guilty!
He is out on bail because he is WHITE and RICH and FAMOUS
And the Judge that signed his release had volunteered and attended some events for the charity. She has since been removed from the case but the release was not reheard or reversed -- unfortunately
Powerfully connected and rich. White has nothing to do with it (see Simpson, OJ)
Didn't think about that. Football is slowly replacing God as diety in this country and this is scary.
where was dinner?the hellfire club.
How much more of this guy must we endure?
Inocent until proven guilty is required by law. Obeying the law is the minimum requirement of all citizents of a state. Above the law is morality (one's personal beliefs) and ethics ( which refers to deeds or the actions people take)
Penn State is a large premium American institution. PSU and its leadership are held to a higher standard. This means that just obeying the law isn't enough. They have to be held accountable to a higher standard which includes the law, ethics, morals and my personal favorite prudence. (Prudence takes into consideration the cosequences of deeds regardless of legal, ethical or moral considerations.)
People in leadership positions are required to do more than just obey the law and pass the buck. Penn State cut themself off at the knees* by not holding Sandusky to a higher standard. He should have been fired immediately and restrained from coming near the Penn State campus at least fifteen years ago or earlier. Let the judicial system handle the legal aspect of the case.
*"Cutting oneself off at the knees" is an old Sicilian "Leoni" expression which means you brought it on yourself. Leoni is the plural of Leone which means Lions. Leoni is the original reference by locals (Sicily circa 1870) to the gang that become known as the Mafia.
The point is Joe Paterno knows he cut himself off at the knees.
As a final note, if you think I am stereotyping Sicilians, my last name happens to be Leone. We have another saying, "My name means what I say it means and not what you say it means."
bada bip, bada bang, bada boom
This guy is out on the street because he is friends with the judge! If this guy is a black dude he is probably waiting to be executed in the gas chamber by now!! But then again, this is america, the land of the Rich and Famous, all he has to do is just showup in church a few times he will be born again !!!
All these "victims" want is a payday. When this was going on, why didn't they come forward? Why didn't they scream and yell and cry and run away? If they pursue and accept monetary justice, they're whores. So kids, if someone touches YOU inappropriately, before you scream, before you tell them no, before you tell your parents, ask yourself, what's really in it for me? If a multimillion dollar payday might be the answer, I say go for it. A great opportunity like this could keep you from having to turn to petty crime, and ultimately keep you from being molested as an adult, in prison.
Clearly you have never been exposed to these types of kids that have victimized or you would not say what you did. In fact, your comment is disgusting
Some of them did come forward, and their accusations were minimized or brushed off. Or haven't you read that portion of the case?
Further, they were kids, specially picked by Sandusky because they were lonely and vulnerable. I don't know what kind of a kid you were, but most of them don't think, "I'll let myself be molested because I can get a big payday."
Wow lion tamer you might have some issues! I agree with meede1 that your comment is disgusting. The children he is accused of abusing did not have a strong support system. He gained access to these children through his charity which was to benefit children who have a tough life. Many times children are so ashamed of the conduct they don't report it for fear of being blamed for the actions of the adult. (kind of like what you did here) I'm not sure what world you live in, but in most peoples world showering with a child who is NOT your own is wrong!! If this man is guilty he deserves the punishment he gets, and these (now) young men deserve the closure. To blame the victim for the abuse is sick and wrong.
oh, xliontamer, you are sick.
What exactly are "these types" of kids? First off, no one came forward. If kid #1 had told, there wouldn't have been kid #2. But instead, there's kid #10. If I were kid 2,3,4,5, I'd be pissed at kid #1. But no one came forward. Why? And then, when someone finally does, everyone wants in on the action. I not saying any kid who is molested is not a victim, but some kids, might not understand that they are being victimized. Some kids, troubled kids from broken homes, maybe are happy that someone is paying attention to them at all. Some of these kids remained friends with this guy as adults??? What the hell could that be about?? And they only came forward after the situation was all out in the open. Don't tell me these people aren't looking to get paid. Penn State football is an 80 million dollar a year organization, and Sandusky is a rich man. So what is the REAL story? We're they not really friends, but perhaps blackmailing him? Once the case was out in the open, their cash cow dried up, so they came forward out of conscious? BullSH*t!!! Why do the victims have lawyers??? There's a lot more to this than a simple case of child molestation. Don't tell me I don't know anything about these "types" of kids. Because I do. I wasn't fortunate!?! enough to be molested by someone with money, but my feelings are this, Neither would most of these kids if JUST ONE had said something!!! There is an OBLIGATION to society to act in these situations, and the victims in this case appear to only be self-interested. I know they were just kids, but it certainly looks like these "victims" were somehow complicit in these crimes when they only express an interest in the kind of justice that you can take to the bank.
You know, all your life you are taught to look up to your authority figures. To listen to them and respect them. Your teachers, your coaches, your community "leaders" and educators. This one was a pillar of the community and famous. He was also a predator, a liar, and a manipulator. He was around children for thirty years and had lots of practice pulling the puppet strings. He knew how to get into their heads, in the same way that any predator does, in the same way a serial killer manipulates victims. He found the easy targets. This was not a level playing field. And Sandusky had plenty of practice. Being around childen so much gave him a way to learn how to twist them to suit his purposes. Only a fool or a crazy person would blame the children for this. Which one are you?
And of course some of the kids did come forward. My comments are referring to those who only recently came forward but had remained in contact with this man as adults.
I'm not blaming the victims for the abuse, but for what they are going to do next, and that is get a pay day so large that kids everywhere will wish they had been molested by Jerry Sandusky, because the truth is, most victims never get anything more than a lifetime of shame and torment. When people find any "positive" in these horrors, it only ensures a next generation of easy targets for these animals to prey upon. Maybe they deserve something, but instant wealth? And they certainly should not be rewarded for failing to tell anyone for however many years its been.
x lion tamer,
Obviously you have never been molested and raped as a child....Your thinking is a little scued in my opinion...
cubist,
Excellent post. So very true.....How can you blame a 10 yr old?? That's just plain stupid!!
x lion tamer, it sounds like you have never been under a power freak's control. It's amazing to see what can happen between two people sometimes. The pedophile+abused child relationship is not your run-of-the mill caring adult+ happy child relationship. The children he groomed were not the type to fight.
As a 4 yr old child how could I tell, who would I tell? As a 5-10 yr. old child I finally learned how to protect myself from yet & still another abuser (someone very close to my family). Who would believe me? I'm now in my 60's & have yet to be able to tell my siblings about my 2nd abuser, you know why, I feel that they wouldn't believe me even now. I learned how not to trust anyone...ever. As I've getten older, I've isolated myself from close relationship's with anyone. Money? has nothing to do with this at all. What a fool you are liontamer!
Adult victims of rape often do not report their attacks. The few ADULT victims of rape who do report their attackers seldom follow through on prosecution. It is even more difficult for male rape victims. The main reason they don't report it is society's inevitable conclusion that the rape occurred through the fault of the victim.
Liontamer: These victims are not coming forward for money. They are coming forward because something horrible happened to them as kids that they have been carrying with them all this time. They finally had the courage to tell the truth and hopefully prevent more children from becoming victims of this man. I'll bet if they see justice served for this guy and never see a dime, they'll be satisfied.
You can either be a victim OF or a victim TO...I can see being a "victim" once because after that, most children, even younger ones, HAVE come forward and stopped the abuse; the ones in this scenario that did come forward are to be commended for that part of their efforts, but those that continued to LET the "abuse" continue in lieu of computers, dress clothes, trips to NHL and football and bowl games, and cash, as well as other presents, &c., are they then Real True Victims - the ones that TRY to STOP it? How can one be a victim yet still enjoy and look forward to presents and trips, &c.? They weren't that young that they did not know better and they have acknowledged that; there's a name for that, I'm sure you know it...children younger than these young men have cried, yelled, TOLD, pitched fits to not be near their attackers; have cringed in fear at "gifts" that may have been bought for them - why did not these young men do that? Hmmm...PAY DAY!!! ;-)
Silence is GOLDEN (gold is very X'pensive...)
This guy is plain creepy. He needs to be some prison Bubba's biatch. Oh wait he will probably like that.
Rob,
Only if Bubba is 10???
Why are people at Penn State still kissing this man's butt? Are they all that delusional and out of touch with reality or does Sandusky have dirt on a lot of people?
How does this article at all demonstrate that anyone at Penn State is "still kissing this man's butt"? FYI that Penn State is a University. It is not a city, a town or a county. Perhaps you are referring to people who may have still interacted with Sandusky prior to the release of the grand jury report? The events in this article describe the period of time between a local newspaper's article disclosing that a grand jury had convened (Spring 2011) and the time the grand jury summary was released (November 2011). Unfortunately, very few people in the larger community in Centre County, PA had any clue about the allegations and it was not picked up by any national media outlets until November. Read the many articles on this topic to educate yourself on what is going on and when it happened. Rest assured that with all of the damage Sandusky has done to that community (which pales in comparison to what he allegedly did to the victims & their families), no one is kissing his butt, especially not Penn State.
He could probably causea lot of trouble. He does probably have dirt on a lot of people.
What a stupid moron. Every time he opens his mouth, I cringe. Can his bail be revoked? It should be. He should not be allowed to speak to the media, because the more he denies, the more I'm believing he did all that he's accused of and more. I firmly believe in due process, that he'll have his day in court. But the more I see from his actions and the actions of his 'attorney', I'm not sure I could stand any more allegations, and heaven forbid the media circus a drawn out trial will bring.
But, yeah, I'm going to read every news article that's printed, because of the proverbial "train wreck" ... I can't walk away, have to watch and see what happens.
I hope they sue Penn State broke since they allowed this pervert to continue to be on campus and use its facilities to attract more victims.
Of course, if they sue Penn State, it is the innocent Pennsylvania taxpayers who will be paying, and the parents with the tuition....not Sandusky nor Paterno (with his $500,000 pension) or the other cover-up schmucks.
His attorney had a child bride.....representing giggly jerry is par.
hmmmmmmm. I would like to hear from jerry's wife? Did she just look the other way? She is guilty also.
That he did this in the basement where the boys would stay when sleeping over , I've thought that too about the wife. What is she - deaf and blind??
meede1,
Just look the other way, like Hilary Clinton, Gloria Cain, Elizabeth Edwards, etc...At least those slime balls were hooking up with grown women and not 10 yr old children...She is way worse ..
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. People see what they want to see, and don't notice what is unthinkable, even if it is right under their nose.
Maybe it's a big house? Maybe she's just as victimized as the kids and was afraid? I don't know, but I really hope it wasn't intentional. There are a lot of horrible people.