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Subscribe to RSSAs a sequestered jury deliberates the fate of Jerry Sandusky, his adopted son is now saying he was one of former Penn State assistant coach's sex-abuse victims. NBC's Michael Isikoff
BELLEFONTE, Pa. -- In a sudden reversal of Shakespearean proportions, Matt Sandusky this week went from stalwart supporter of former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, his adopted father, to possibly his most damning accuser.
On the first day of Jerry Sandusky’s trial on charges that he sexually abused 10 young boys over a 15 year period, Matt Sandusky – at 33 the youngest of Jerry and Dottie Sandusky’s six adopted children--was among the family members who filed into court to show support for the defendant.
But after listening to a man known as “Victim 4” testify that Jerry Sandusky had sexually abused him over the course of five years, sources close to the case tell NBC News, Matt Sandusky approached prosecutors with the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office to tell them something he had repeatedly denied -- that he, too, was one of the alleged victims.
The sources, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, told NBC News this week that Jerry Sandusky decided not to testify after his lawyers were warned that prosecutors would call Matt as a witness.
Joseph Amendola, Jerry Sandusky's attorney, declined to comment, citing the judge's gag order. "I can't comment," he told reporters in the courtroom Friday evening, as deliberations continued. "After the verdict comes out i'll be happy to comment on that stuff."
Sandusky faces 48 charges relating to child sex abuse. He has maintained his innocence. Attorneys gave their closing arguments Thursday. At the time of this publishing, no verdict has been reached. News of a new accuser, however, opens the possibility of future charges against the former coach.
Centre Daily Times via AP
In this June 20, 2012 photo, Matt Sandusky, adopted son of Jerry Sandusky, leaves the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa.
Shubin and Andronici said in a statement that they would have no further comment.
"This has been an extremely painful experience for Matt and he has asked us to convey his request that the media respect his privacy," they said. The lawyers also represent the young men known as “Victim 3” and “Victim 7.”
The accusations by Sandusky’s youngest adopted child became the latest twist in the sexual abuse case that rocked the college football world. Yet some, including Matt’s biological mother, Debra Long, had already voiced concerns that Matt might have been abused by his adoptive father.
“I believe Matthew was a victim,” Long told NBC News in November.
Matt’s relationship with the Sandusky family mirrors a pattern outlined by the prosecution, in which the Commonwealth says Jerry Sandusky developed close relationships with boys that, according to allegations, evolved into abuse.
Matt first met Jerry Sandusky through the Second Mile program when he was in elementary school, Long said. Like many children who attended the program, which was targeted at children from disadvantaged backgrounds, Matt was mostly raised by a single mother. He also had trouble in school.
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Matt’s first interactions with Sandusky were at the charity’s events and related programs. “Then it started that he would take him to a football game, or he would take him to a family picnic,” Long said. Overnight visits followed, along with gifts of Penn State clothing. “It just kept escalating,” she said.
Matt’s biological brother, Ron Heichel, is serving a life sentence without parole in a Pennsylvania state prison. He was convicted in May 2011 in the August 2009 shooting of a Centre County man.
In an interview with NBC News in early February, Heichel, 32, said that he occasionally was invited to the Sanduskys' home with Matt, but Jerry would often leave him and his sister behind.
“I think Jerry felt the need to invite me along because, if he didn’t, my mother wouldn’t let Matt go,” he said. “I always felt unwelcome.”
Sandusky, however, persuaded Long to let him take Matt further under his wing after an eighth-grade year plagued with disciplinary problems.
In his autobiography, “Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story,” the former coach recounts setting up a program in which Matt “could study and work out and spend time with us, and in turn, he would be rewarded with money that would go into a fund for his college education.”
“He would have to sign a contract to do his share, and he would also receive some money in hand.”
In 1994, Matt accompanied Jerry Sandusky, Penn State's defensive coordinator, to the Citrus Bowl in Orlando, Fla.
Late that year Matt, then 15, was arrested after trying to burn down a barn in Centre County. He was placed in juvenile detention just before Penn State was to go to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Calif. Sandusky writes in “Touched” that he made phone calls from Los Angeles to arrange to have Matt placed in his home as a foster child, over Long’s objections.
Centre County Common Pleas Judge David E. Grine agreed to release Matt into the Sanduskys’ care. A letter from a school-based probation officer to the court recounts how, in March 1996, Matt tried to commit suicide. It was recommended that he receive “intensive outpatient counseling.” According to Long, Jack Raykovitz, the chief executive of Second Mile and a licensed child psychologist, provided at least some of that counseling.
Yet, after the suicide attempt, the school-based probation officer on Matt’s case wrote a letter to the court raising questions about his placement.
“The probation department has some serious concerns about the juvenile’s safety and his current progress in placement with the Sandusky family,” Officer Terry Trude wrote. The letter included concerns from Long that she did not get to see her son for the half-day per month the court had approved.
Around the same time, Matt seems to have distanced himself from his biological family. At 18, Jerry and Dottie Sandusky formally adopted him. He took their last name in 1999, when he was 20. He later told Sports Illustrated that his life turned around after he moved in with the Sanduskys.
"My life changed when I came to live here," Matt told the magazine in 1999. "There were rules, there was discipline, there was caring. Dad put me on a workout program. He gave me someone to talk to, a father figure I never had. I have no idea where I'd be without him and Mom. I don't even want to think about it. And they've helped so many kids besides me."
***
But testimony during the trial, and Matt Sandusky’s recent accusations, suggest a more complicated story.
At the trial, “Victim 4” described entering into “contracts” to work out and study similar to those Sandusky had set up for Matt a few years before. “Victim 4” also testified he accompanied Sandusky to bowl games.
And at one point their separate but seemingly parallel threads allegedly intersected. In his testimony, “Victim 4” described an instance in which he and Matt, then a teenager, went with Jerry Sandusky to play racquetball.
“After we were done, we went to the locker room to get changed,” “Victim 4” told the court. “Matt got undressed and went to the shower. Then me and Jerry came in, and we were there a minute or two.
“Matt got up and left — well, not got up but turned off the shower, went out and into another shower.” Asked how Matt looked at the time, “Victim 4” responded, “Nervous.”
***
Records indicate that Matt continued to struggle with his emotions into adulthood, sometimes crossing legal boundaries.
In 2002, he pleaded guilty twice to harassment in connection with an ex-girlfriend.
His 2010 divorce from his wife, Jill Jones, was also messy, according to interviews. Shortly after the accusations against Jerry Sandusky surfaced in November, Jones went to court and obtained an order that forbids the three young children she had with Matt from sleeping over at their grandparents’ home.
Travis Weaver, who alleges that he was abused by former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, tells NBC's Kate Snow, "I'll be OK when he's in prison."
Matt Sandusky testified before the first grand jury, whose report led Sandusky to be charged in November with dozens of counts of child abuse over a period of 15 years. But according to reports, he denied any abuse by Sandusky and was never named as one of the alleged victims by the prosecution.
Throughout the months that Jerry Sandusky awaited trial, Matt appeared to support his father. He visited the house on Grandview Road regularly to see Sandusky, who had posted bail but was confined to his home.
On June 11, the first day of Jerry Sandusky’s trial, his family walked in to take their position on the bench behind the defense table. Dottie Sandusky wore a powder-blue suit. Matt sat beside her. While Dottie chatted with those around her, Matt sat somber, not talking much with the others.
That was the last day he would appear with the family at the county courthouse in Bellefonte. The next time he was seen entering the court, it was with employees of the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, as a potential witness for the prosecution.
NBC News' Desiree Adib and Kimberly Kaplan contributed to this report.
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Strange that he vacillated between support and accusation in such a short amount of time. He did know the creep as "Dad" - must be as hard for him as for any of them to testify, if not more so. I wonder if his testimony will also shed some light on just how much Dottie must have known......
Denial ain't just a river in Egypt. So Sad. God Almighty
It's not so strange; he's actually exhibiting classic victim behavior.
Yes, that is classic behavior. I figured he was abused but either not realizing that was real and serious abuse on a conscious level (denial) or so conflicted he couldn't speak out. They gave him plenty over the years and he might be feeling embarrassed and angry with himself. He may not have realized all that was done to others if Sandusky had him leave when he was "soaping up" other boys, so either thought he was the only one to have gone that far or not realized what it did to the other boys.
What a mess...not surprising at all, and I am glad Matt spoke out. What pisses me off is that there were concerns back then about his living with him and they let him go anyway.
I remember an adult survivor of sexual abuse I was in a group with who had obvious physical trauma from what her father did to her so there was no doubt, but her family got her so stressed, scared, and mixed up she started saying she made it up. Then she realized how sick her family was and why they were brainwashing her and actually starting healing from all she went through. Her father was no father...he was a disgusting creep.
I knew it, I knew it, I knew it!!! I hope now everyone sees his evil demon of a wife Dottie for who she really is too! She knew that evil preverted sick dog of a man were molesting those boys and she choose to bring his victims home and have them call her mom and him dad!!! May God surround the victims with a peace that surpasses all understanding....they deserve NO less!!
Prosecute Dottie, knowing Penn State officials, and Sandusky to the fullest extend of the law.
Put them all in "General Population" for life.
Too bad that Paterno is not alive to endure this fate, too.
He put football over Humanity.
Pathetic virus...Paterno was.
Perhaps the maggot adopted kids so he'd have ready access. ARE YOU KIDDING ME??? The wife KNEW stuff....I have 6 kids and I pretty much know EVERYTHING that goes on here. Denial isn't just a river in Egypt. Just look at the so-called 'father' of the Five Browns.............revolting behavior!
In his autobiography, “Touched: The Jerry Sandusky Story,”...
Talk about irony.
When someone writes a book about his whole disgusting affair, they have a tailormade title ready for them.
I understand the conflict his son had. Being a victim of sexual abuse, I feared what my family would say. I feared they wouldn't believe me. I feared they would blame me even though I was an 8 year old. I never told anyone. AND to this day , even after the abuser has died, along with therapy I will not tell anyone in my family. But I am filled with guilt... I am under no delusion that I was the only child affected by this relative. If I had spoken up others would have been saved. Unfortunately... we see one Jerry Sandusky , there are many more out there we don't and the kids being abused are afraid.
The potential big payday got to him I suppose now every one who was in that camp will tag on since the university is already proposing settlements.
... Are you folks serious? I mean, really? Are you serious? This guy is seeing dollar signs, nothing more. He was a staunch defender, and now that he's suddenly making your statements right, "oh that poor boy oh he was always abused oh let's cuddle him oh he had all the marks of someone who was abused I knew it I knew it...". He's just mad because he didn't hop on the victim train soon enough, and won't be getting the settlement money.
There's just so much over-emotional stupidity surrounding this entire case, I'm half amazed he got tried in the US. In any case, he's already been charged with his crimes, Now can we please stop discussing this crap every minute of our lives, and get back to the economy? I've seen this Sandusky crap on every news network rolling since the case began. I'd like to get back to the bigger picture rather than the latest media crusade.
Bury him alive and let Hell have him back!!!! No mess No fuss and hes already in the ground, so no big funeral bill, the familes been through enough, Your Welcome!!
I have a deep and unshakeable feeling that Dottie Sandusky knew much more than she let on. The fact that he would be downstairs, saying 'goodnight' for long periods of time would be enough to make me get out of my recliner, go downstairs and see what's going on. Dottie was hanging onto her meal ticket. Any one in a good marriage, raising a solid family KNOWS what's going on. I don't think she should be tried as an accomplice as there's too little fact and too much allegation. But I hope she throws up everytime she sees her face in a mirror.
As for Matt, better late than never to acknowledge what that dumb, stupid jock did to him. Jerry Sandusky hasn't a clue as to what he did. He has no idea it was wrong. To him, it's just blends into whatever he feels like doing.
You are so right! Dottie Sandusky knew exactly what was going on but chose to ignore it. Perhaps her standard of living was so high she couldn't part with it. Perhaps Jerry would leave her alone if he was molesting the kids she helped him get. There aren't sufficient words in the English language to discuss the depth of depravity, lack of morality and selfishness she displayed!!
Breadex...you are a complete idiot... You think that Matt was suddenly there lining up for the money? You have no clue and people like you are why pedophiles get away with the horrendous crimes they do to children.
If you had some sort of reading comprehension you would have understood what Sandusky AND his wife Dottie did to Matt. He was being abused by Sandusky as a member of the "mile high club". Then Matt started acting out. Which landed him in Sandusky's foster home. Matt's biological mother tried to get him out, the school counselor was afraid for his safety and she tried to get him out. Matt WAS KIDNAPPED legally by Sandusky and his wife Dottie. He was forced by the courts to stay in Sandusky's home. The poor kid attempted suicide.
In my opinion Dottie is guilty of aiding and abetting. She helped him adopt children and then she went along with the abuse for a meal ticket. The biotch belongs in the slammer.
To Matt and all the victims. My heart goes out to you for your suffering. I am so sorry this happened to you. Can you heal? In time you will maybe be able to use this as a life lesson. Maybe you help other children who are being abused speak up. Helping other people sometimes heals the wounds.
Remember, you didn't cause this. Sandusky and his wife are predators who became very good at fooling parents, officials and other teachers. That is what pedophiles and child rapists do. They are evil.
WOW... this pig was a serial molestor...all his foster/adopted male children.... you can bet pig molested each and everyone of them. PIGS wife should be prosecuted to. She knew what he was doing to those kids he would bring home/take to events over all the years. Why hasnt the state pressed charges on her?All the years of ignoring what was happening to those boys is as bad as pig.
@ThaMonkeh: I doubt that Matt would bring forth accusations against his father for a pay day. Typically, abuse victims are very reluctant to talk about their abuse with anyone. Some carry the guilt and shame of abuse around with them for decades, and some never tell. A victim of abuse would trade all the money in the world to have not been abused.
You may want to get back to the economy and every day life, unfortunately, Jerrys and other victims of sexual abuse and rape will carry the memories and fallout of abuse around with them forever.
At Penn State, no one wanted to hear about the abuse that was taking place, they were more concerned with Penn State and the status quo. By doing so, Jerry got a free pass to abuse those kids for years with permission from those around him.
Hopefully no one will forget what happened to these kids. When people forget, or just want to sweep it under the rug, people like Jerry continue to rape and sexually abuse our children. I Hope nothing like this ever happens to one of your kids or someone you love. And trust me, the economy isn't going to change anytime soon, but I'm no economist.
... Really? You're going to pull the "Oh but they'll have to live with this their entire lives!". No. Stop right there, I'm shutting your argument down RIGHT NOW. The Economy effects NOT ONLY these kids, but you, me, and everyone else in the United States of America. I'm sorry that little Timmy got porked by a hot dog, but it's not more worthy than the financial stability of our nation. Let's see, hm. Possible sex fiend, or little Timmy and his family losing their house and having to live out on the street.
Seeing that Rats can in fact eat you alive, and it's far worse to be homeless, much less starving, I'd have to go with the economy over the possible sex fiend. The case is closed, he's been charged, now lets gets back to making sure we don't hand these all important children you keep talking about the tattered ruins of a one great nation, and making it so they know those hot meals and clean clothes they so adore will be there the very next day!... Unless of course you'll just bullsharting that you actually care about the kids in the first place.
ThaMonkeh: I think we can multitask. I think we can worry about sexual predators and the economy at the same time. Both are important. Don't underestimate the influence sexual predators have on our economy through the problems victims suffer as they grow older. Have a little respect. And stay calm. Again, I think we can do both.
Jordii
I could not agree more. I was abused, but my mother chose security over me time after time after time. She made me the 'bad person' so that others would not see her behavior for what it was and she could live with her guilt. However, in the end the truth always wins out over the weaknesses and depravity in human behavior. May this young man find peace. He still has a long and difficult road ahead. There are millions behind you, Matt, in your decision to speak up for the truth. Never forget that. We are here, many of us in the shadows of our pain.
Your story, landspirit, is common. As a therapist I have heard this story so many times. My heart goes out to you. Those who have never been "unprotected" as children....do not understand.
Matt Sandusky as a "troubled youth" had a history of suicide attempts and starting fires. He then undergoes a sea change in his testimony, from white to black. He now considers his father a villian rather than a saint. This history is typical of the behavior in borderline personality disorder. It is characteristic of people with this disorder to view the world in terms of all black or all white with no grey. People who suffer from this disorder have been subjected to severe emotional and/or physical abandonment trauma usually between the ages of 3 and 6 years old. This would be something his family of origin would have had control of and not Sandusky. I am not trying to imply that Jerry Sandusky is innocent of the charges, but just to suggest that the testimony of Matt Sandusky should not be considered as completely reliable.
This story just keeps getting more bizarre.
The Jerry Sandusky Story: From Penn State to State Pen
It's a good thing for Sandusky that he enjoys having sex in the shower. He's going to be getting a lot of that in the near future.
Good One!!!!!
He is a shriveled 68 year old man in a pen with no victims if he did this and that should be ebnough punishment . He will end up li Jeffrey D or commit suicide. Prisinors like him who are convicted of crimes against children are hated in prison.
Yes, those who rape and murder children are hated in prison, as they should be! And no, just sitting alone in a jail cell the rest of his life is NOT enough punishment - I'm sure his many, many victims would agree with me. Why on earth would you defend this scumbag or anyone else like him?
Adopted 6 Kids????? Oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooo
I believe that the Sandusky family are masters in emotional blackmail. These kids are so troubled that they didn't know what to do when this creep start to prey on them. As adults, they are still struggling with how sick and twisted this pervert is. I feel sorry for Matt Sandusky. Shame on Dottie. She is as sick as Jerry is.
SHE KNEW......and probably was thankful not to have the perv in her bed at night. yuck!
I knew when this case started one of the boys made a statement "You cant say no to Jerry" this statement alone can fill a book too bad it took so long for him to get caught and be brought to justice so many victims and so many in authority that could have stepped in and looked away years ago I commend the victims for their bravery and am so glad to hear justice has been served.
Interesting that they had no biological children... perhaps Dottie is a lesbian and since Jerry is clearly also gay, perhaps this was quite the convenient arrangement for both of them to hide their true sexual orientations. Just speculation but it certainly could be true.
Having been a victim of abuse myself I understand how he would deny the allegations as we try to put those abuses away in our mind as it is too hard to let yourself remember or even admit that they happen, and I'm sure after listening to the other accusers he felt he must come clean with what happened to him so that he could put a stop to any future abuse. Matt I hope you can recover from this.
Because it is so da**ed painful and he is about to lose everything. This town is mean, it is insular and incredibly polarized. The disdain expressed by PSU glitterati against poor locals is just disgusting. It saturates everything around here: CYS, courts, police, PSU..the list is long and it is sad. My heart goes out to all the survivors.
Mr. Weaver: I am so very sorry. My heart goes out to you and your family.
I hope everyone sees how evil the rich and powerul can be!! They all cover each other and their sicknesses as long as it protects their world and dollar!!
Matt, I have no doubt you can recover from this. You have already started your journey.
I was raped when I was 22 years old and never discussed with anyone until I was 39. I was so ashamed and embarrassed. People do not always go for help after this happens, people are not always open, even when it affects their life profoundly, as it did mine. I am still afraid to walk alone at night, even with a large dog. I park my car illegally close to my home if I have to be out late rather than have to walk home a block. It is a hellish way to live. I feel for this young man, the trust that was broken. He needs therapy, I got it and it helped some, though I know that certain fears will never leave me.
Ike: Bless your heart...keep working on it. One of the ways your rapist keeps re-victimizing you is by making you fearful for life. Don't allow your rapist to hold you prisoner in that world of fear. Work hard on it and free yourself. Prayers are with you.
I believe all previous denials from Matt Sandusky may have been based on 2 things, #1..........repressed memories, and #2 not wanting to be the one to destroy his family. I know that Jerry is the one responsible for doing that, but more than likely (& speaking from personal experience) he was guilt tripped into not saying anything, telling him that it would ruin everything for everyone.
As far as the change in sides in the court room, after hearing Victim #4's testimony, memories may have come flooding back, guilt for not stepping in to help Victim #4 and hearing how it has affected his life and what happened to him, or just coming to terms with it all and saying enough is enough. Despite the abuses I experienced over 30 yrs ago, I still have revelations and epiphanies about it all, memories that flood back...............abuse like this is a thing that everyone handles differently.
I hope Matt will have love and support through this, as I wish for all the victims and their families, despite his switching to the prosecution's team. They should be proud of him and for his courage in speaking up.
I am proud of Matt beachgirl as I know you are. Matt has a much larger loving family to fall back on for support now. He has all of us.
Jane,
So beautifully expressed. And so very very true.
Certainly explains the awkward maneuvers with the defense suddenly resting their case earlier this week. They knew his goose was cooked. This is textbook, open and shut pedophilia. Surprised the jury isn't in yet.
The jury hasn't even heard this, having been sequestered already. They've heard things we haven't, and vice-versa. This just keeps getting worse. Prayers to all those victims, and probably many no one has heard from.
Where did all the Sandusky supporters go that used to troll this site all the time? It wasn't too long ago that you couldn't even express an opinion against this sick f*ck without a thousand Pedo State University fans jumping down your throat! Well, it appears that you have been facilitating child rape for quite some time by turning that blind eye. Now I'm going to say this: I believe that St. Joe Paterno KNEW and actively covered up these crimes. Heck, as far as anyone knows, he could have participated a time or three, himself. Defenders?
Please do not judge the entire university on those revolting individuals involved in this horrible situation. To do so lessens the dedication and hard work of the tens of thousands of students who have earned degrees at this institution which has an exemplary academic program. Everyone can agree that Sandusky is a monster and he, and all that chose to ignore that fact, need to be severely punished, but to condemn the entire school is unfair. To call one of America's best state university's a name like you did, shows lack of intelligence and maturity.
And that is the cost of not doing due diligence in protecting the children under their care.
If this defines Penn state forever, so be it.
would put his sudden suicide into perspective, extremely guilty consiounce, fear of the trial and inevitable prison, facing the victims that he refused to lift a finger to help ever, the tables being turned on him in prison, he was a coward and took the quickest way out, hes burning in the bowels of hell so let him rot, I feel bad for the family he left behind, to be the scapegoat, tsk tsk, dont worry you wont be alone forever your pedo partner in crime will join u soon enough,
@delainey
I'm not judging the entire student body of the university for this pervert's actions! I'm only blaming the one's like you who are still believing the lie that the University leadership (in particular, the senior members of the athletic department, especially Joe Pedterno) knew nothing instead of realizing that they were either turning a blind eye to this sicko or were active co-conspirators. The fact that SO MANY psu fans were so quick to defend and support this monster only adds to the dishonor that surrounds that university. Now, you want to come forth and show how clean your hands are? Your hands ARE NOT CLEAN. You are the problem. People like you that first ignored the problem, then denied the problem, and now that others have solved the problem, you stand there and say "don't blame us!" SHAME ON YOU AND SHAME ON YOUR UNIVERSITY. BTW, when is sandusky's pedophile wife going to be charged for her role. Or do you believe she was just plain ignorant or all this abuse going on in the very next room?
If you or your child had worked hard to obtain a degree from any school that had something this heinous occur within a department that you had absolutely no connection with, would you feel the same way? Let's not throw the baby out with the bath water. Not every student that attended Penn state was involved in the athletic program. What would you have everyone do, tear up their diplomas and start over? Get real, come down off of your pillar of hate and think about it a little longer. I am repulsed and as indignant as you, and I am not defending any of the actions of anyone involved. And, yes, I agree that his wife is every bit as guilty as he and should be prosecuted as well. I also wish Paterno was still alive so so he could get his. But please do not throw every student that attended PSU into this horrible situation and label them as guilty by association.
On November 8. 2011 thousands of students (most of whom had no association with the athletic department) marched across campus demanding the resignation of President Graham Spanier - remember? Remember all the Sandusky enablers calling for the president's head? Where have they all gone? Let me guess, no one will now admit that they attended? Much like Germany in 1945: "I was never a Nazi!" Give me a break. I hope that a winning football team was worth all the suffering inflicted on those boys. By the way, you're doing a lot of self defense for someone with such a supposed clean conscience. I'm a Psychologist and you are an easy read.
What? No pithy comeback, Herr Delainey?
Smart move on the younger Sandusky's part. He can be a new accuser, and have his father tried again if he's found not guilty - which is very different from being guilty, btw.
Hmmmm, good point and I must say God will leave no sin unpunished!!! The defense team thought they were being smart by wrapping up the case so Matt couldn't be heard but by them doing so, may have left an open door for new charges being brought by new victims!!!
Agreed. Although I understand we have to follow procedure and give the accused the opportunity of a trial, and to be judged by a group of his peers...I think it would have been better if his lawyers had convinced him to change his plea to guilty after the Costas interview. They should have just stuck a fork in him then, because he was DONE.
i wish they would call it what it was..RAPE... he raped these kids. sexual molestation,, used by the law and the news.RAPE IS RAPE.what is sexual molestation ?? is that what you call it when a big old adult male penetrates these boys....RAPE........that BASTARD needs to go to prison for life,, and not to a prison where he will be codled. a prison for phediphiles, he can then be raped himself,,, by a big smelly con with rotten teeth.
chances are there are more victims,, who just want to forget,,and can't make themselves come forward. can't blame them,, takes alot of courage, to admit to anyone,, what this lowlife scum did to them. i want jerry to go to prison for life and stay very healthy,, and live a long life.
the legal term is "sexual battery of a child under 14" I unfortunately know that awful term very well, my ex-brother-law spent 13 years in prison for doing that to my 5 y/o son and video taping it:( I always knew the charges but didnt know what they meant and one night while checking his latest sex offender status and having Facbook kick his sorry a** off of the site to prevent him from creeping around at young boys, I decided to google it, each state has different terms, and when I read what it meant I threw up, I never knew what he did to him, my husband never wanted me to hear the details but his charges are public record so I looked and wish I hadnt, my baby went through hell and knowing that dirty SOB is free is slowly driving me crazy with rage, before you ask "where was I" I worked night shifts and my husband was overseas military, and he never gave us any clues and I looked back and tried to recall anything but he had him scared to death to say a word, and neither me or my sis-in-law had a clue so molesters are very sadistic in keeping their victims quiet and knowing he was suffering in front of our eyes will haunt me till the day I die, hes a grown man now with 2 baby girls and fiercely protective of them and they adore him he was shaken up when they released him on Parole but if hes hurting hes hiding it well, Ive tried to talk to him but you can see the shame,anger and hurt pop up on his face and even though hes 27 with a bachelors degree in music ed I still grab him and hug and kiss his face, I feel like no matter what I do for him it will never be enough, he doesnt blame us but Im sure he wondered where was his mom and dad their supposed to protect me, so sorry didnt mean to go on and on, didnt even realize it, I get in a daze and my fingers take over. I dont know if u have kids but always reassure them not be afraid to ever tell u and even if their being threatened drill it in their heads, it wasnt publicized back then like it is now, Im babbling again. Stay safe and hug your babies all the time:)
I was 28 and my 5 year old nephew called me and said he wanted me to go to court him the next day. Flabbergasted, dumbfounded and very perplex, I said yes, let me talk to you mother. My sister said she would explain another day. For three days I sat with 5 little five year old boy’s across the street from the court house. I watched the boy’s until it was time for them to testify in court. On the final day and at the last moments, I went into the court room. This weird feeling was rising in me; I brushed it off because I believed it was rage for what this man had done to 5 little five year olds in their day care. The guy did not get convicted; nor could the prosecuting attorney bring up the fact that this was not the first time this man had been to court for molesting little boy’s.
We left the court and went to the park to have a “Heroes Party” for the boys for doing a brave job of telling the truth in the court room.
My mom pulled me aside and started to tell me why they had never told me what had happened to my nephew. My mother told me that they all believed that I could not handle it. My mother started to tell me about what happened to me and another little girl when we were five years old and how this old neighborhood grandpa type had molested us.
Then it happened!!!!!! I couldn’t hear her. I couldn’t move. I couldn’t function. This huge, gigantic wave of the most horrific, horrifying, gut splitting, painful, Oh!!! My God!!!!!, memories were racing threw me like a rocket propelled bomb. Then incoherently I started to speak to my mother about what had happened to me. My mother kept asking me what was wrong with me???!!!!???
Rushing like a freight train on rocket fuel were all these memories of another time and another place. Memories that were buried so deeply that I had no idea it had happened. I was in a deep terror and horrific physical pain. So I started to tell my mother; crying, freaking, and in pain.
Big huge gigantic issue!!!!! We were talking about two totally different stories, times, ages and abusers. I had buried so deeply, that I did not remember, that I have been sexual molested and raped when I was 9 until I was 11, by my dads best friend that was our neighbor and the neighborhood teenage boy’s.
So you jerks that do not believe Matt Sandusky’s story, apparently you have not been sexual abused to the point that it is so traumatic, painful, and crushing that you pass out. That it happens so much that the only way a little kid can deal with it is to erase it from there fragile mind. An adult mind will remember, when it is ready and the trigger hit’s the nail on the head.
Amen. Some things are pushed down and away, nearly forgotten, until one day something cracks that protective shell, and everything you've suffered comes flooding out. This guy is likely not jumping on a bandwagon of fingerpointing, but rather seeing and hearing firsthand another victim's encounters has triggered something buried deep a long time ago. Sometimes the mind shuts down, to protect itself. Anyone who calls BS on this has - thankfully - never been a victim of abuse.
Well, said Kim!
Bless you, Kim. It takes so much courage to come to grips with sexual molestation/abuse! But, when you DO, it can be very freeing. Take care of yourself. Praying for you.
Kim is totally right. Many adult survivors of childhood sex abuse have these type of "sledge hammer" episodes when the psyche releases the "forgotten memories" that have been tucked away safely until the victim is old enough and mature enough to handle the post traumatic stress that occurs when dealing with the aftermath. The memories can be triggered by a smell, or a scene from a movie, or simply by someone asking the victim if the abuse ever happened to them. That is how it happened to me. I can totally relate to Matt Sandusky's situation. He was sitting the courtroom as his father's defender, but when one of the victims describe how Matt reacted to showering with Jerry with the victim in the locker room, it put Matt back into that moment and Matt's memories could have come flooding back. No amount of money can ever repair the damage done to a youngster who suffered such sexual abuse at the hands of someone they trusted. I remember being groomed (although at that time I was unaware of what was really in my perpetrator's mind) and the shame of being betrayed and the threats of losing the only family you have known is enough to hush any child. Matt needs our support and understanding; not suspicions and accusations of ulterior motives. I truly believe this is the way the Good Lord protects child sexual abuse victims until they are old enough to stand up for themselves and point a finger at their abuser and call them out for what they really are.
Kim from Utah--you are SO brave for telling your story. I talk to my daughter about appropriate and inappropriate behavior, and answer the questions she's had about this Sandusky case because while I don't want her to be afraid of all adults, I think a little information can go a long way. I think a lot of kids don't see what's coming after the pedophile woos them with gifts and attention, and psychological manipulation
I am so sorry for your pain--and the fact that the way the system works, that guy got away with it with your nephew.
As children, we have an extraordinary ability to detach and place those memories in compartments within our own mind. Our own mind keeps us from accessing those memories. I had two layers of that. I stuck some memories within a compartment and within another compartment in that one. The day I accidently broke into that compartment, was as you described. Memories washed over me. For two weeks all I seemed to do was remember. I would find myself having stood in the same place for hours as the memories came, time of the now forgotten as memories of the past became reality.
I think part of the problem is denial. I was abused by my stepfather and even though I knew what he was doing to me was wrong, parts of what he did felt good to my body. It hurt my mind almost to the point of splitting my personality, but my body responded. It was a terrible split within me and for years I just said to myself that "it wasn't that bad" because I felt so guilty about my the way my body responded to certain things he did to me.
I knew what he was doing was wrong and when it happened to me it was like falling down a black hole. I didn't know anyone else that had ever had this happen to them (back then we didn't talk about it) and so I kept quiet.
This started happening to me when I was 9 and went on for years, until my mother left him.
I didn't tell anyone until I was 24 years old. I felt that bad about what he did. So I do think that Matt was horribly conflicted about whether or not he wanted to admit to anyone that this had happened to him. I wish him all the best and hope that he can recover from this awful experience.
Meh1956, it's common for the body to respond to stimuli, rather it be sexual or whatever! No way does it make it the victim's fault or mean that the victim is ok with the violation that's happening to their body's. They have this age old arguement that men can't be victims of rape because their penis would not have gotten hard if they didn't want it....not so.....for every action there is a reaction.
If a person's sexual organs are stimulated by force, then it's going to react the way it would, if it was being stimulated by will or desire because it's reacting the way it's created to act.
I wish you continued healing and all the others ridden with guilt while feeling that somehow their rape was not rape due to their body's reaction!
Marcella - I understand that someone's physical reaction may not be an indicator of consent, and I really DO understand that a child cannot GIVE consent, but I remember what I felt like when I was 13, and quite frankly - if someone were to have asked me to - I would have - willingly. I was a horny little bastard.
So what then? What would have happened had *I* been the one trying to seduce an adult? There were a couple of times I was close to it with one of my brother-in-laws. If I had had even the SLIGHTEST inkling he'd have gone along with it - I would have in a heartbeat. Even today - 37 years later - it still gets me all hot & bothered, thinking about it.
So what does that make me? Am *I* a monster?
your issues are for another forum, a 13 y/o shouldnt even know how to seduce unless you have been exposed to it, and I hope noone took advantage of you during puberty which is hard and confusing enough without a molester creeping around, they say victims of abuse show signs of sexual curiosity very early on due to the fact that they have been a victim at some point, maybe you should talk to someone and see if you have anything buried in you subcounsious, good luck to you and I hope its jusst crazy hormones and not something bad!!
This might be a little off topic, but it seems that every year, more and more and more kids are getting molested. I have to wonder, is it because society is getting worse and sicker by the day or this has been this bad and that only now are we, as a society get to hear about it more in the media?! Either way I feel sick to my stomach hearing these terrible stories. Worst are the stories about parents molesting their own kids and parents knowing what their husband/wife is doing to their kids and not doing anything. Good God, I cannot understand how as parents, they can let anything happen to their own flesh and blood? What ever happened to being the guardians and protectors of your kids?
More and more kids do get molested, but this has been going on literally forever. Pedophiles are not new. Kids getting sexual molested is not new. What is new is that we are all finally talking about it. Finally people are starting to listen!!!!! Finally people are starting to actually believe kids!!!!!!!
I am 55 years old. I was molested when I was 5 years old by a neighbor that was like a grandpa type. He molested me and another girl. He also molested about every kid in the neighborhood. When it happened I went home and told my parents. They called the cops. The cops did absolutely nothing!!!!!! The cops told my parents to try and keep me away from the man. See that is what they did 50 years ago; nothing!!!!!!
So today, at this moment in time we get to finally have a voice. We get to finally talk about. Thus the reason I have spent all of my adult life speaking about being sexual abused. I have a voice finally. I can not tell you how many times I have heard; “I have never told anyone this before”.
Congratulation Kim, keep up the good work.
My heart breaks for those poor boys. I've been down that road too. My brother/ his friend & an Uncle damaged me. I was told 'No one will believe you or I'll come back and kill your family" Pretty heavy stuff for a 6 yr old. Don't rock the boat. I never told my 'family' until my Dad's funeral. I was afraid it would break his heart & he'd kill my brother. I've tried to 'forget it' tried to drink it away...the usual stuff. Finally in my mid thirty's, I sobered up and got into counseling...again and thought I dealt with it. Just last year (I'm 62) I started having Flashbacks. Now they say I have PTSD. I know, I had it 50 some years ago, but today, because of the unbelievable braveness of many many victims, I'm believed. My 'family' of origin still have nothing to do with me, but that's ok. Just to know other children out there are getting help and someone is listening to them and hears them and can try to understand how this insane experience.
I'm in a 12th Step program and I see the the 'stare' in the eyes of the new girls who are just coming in with this baggage. God Bless the people who try to help, but in my opinion, just like no one can really help an Alcoholic but another Alcoholic, no one but an abuse victim who is now a health woman/man can understand what these children have gone through.
It's a club I never wanted to join, but I'm here, so I'm trying to continue to heal myself and maybe help another person not feel so all alone.
PS I'll always believe my Mother knew something ..........
Please sign and share this petition to have Casey Anthony tried in federal court. The petition addresses the DOJ policy that guides them in deciding whether or not to bring federal charges against someone after a person has already been tried by a state.
casey-anthony-federal-petition.blogspot.com/
Or go to change.org and search for BREUER
I'm SO happy to know that there are people out there with so little to live for that they have to go around looking for crap to stick their noses in.
You go, girl. Good luck with your obsessions. Hope the medications start kicking in soon.
After the Casey Anthony case I just don't trust juries anymore. It seems that they go that extra mile to try to acquit the guilty these days. They carry that "reasonable doubt" thing a bit too far. There is no way all of those kids could be lying and now with the adopted son finally seeing the light the bas***d is guilty as sin.
Well, you can't trust them to judge the other way, either. So many innocent people are in prison. And so we must always strive to fulfill the criteria "beyond a reasonable doubt", even though it's not always actually done. If you were on trial and innocent, you would definitely want that in place.
Matt Sandusky is a hero. He took the first giant step toward recovery by speaking out, and others will follow. Bravo.
Matt's ex wife, Jill Jones, is also a hero for recognizing there was a problem. Early on she shielded their children from this child abuser
Both of these parents, Matt and Jill are young, yet they already recognize how sick the Sandusky family system is. Their children are blessed to have such courageous parents. How lucky they are.
Agreed Jane in TN!!!
Could you imagine being this guy's stepson and NOT getting abused?
"But Dad! Wasn't I cute enough???"
That would be enough to give someone a complex for life.
Amazing what money will do.
. . . yes, and position/power, fame, and connections
My guess is Matt gained the courage to speak up after hearing those other victims in court. So yeah, he flip-flopped (excuse me...the new term is "evolved") in a short period of time but that's good. Maybe he can heal from his wounds better going forward.
Matt's 33 years old. I think he suddenly saw $'s.
cunical: Is there an age limit with regard to finally realizing you were sexually abused and are able to find the courage to tell the truth? I'll answer that for you: no. However, statements like yours make you the poster child for a group called, "Blame the Victims 'R Us".
Cunical - So you jerks that do not believe Matt Sandusky’s story, apparently you have not been sexual abused to the point that it is so traumatic, painful, and crushing that you pass out. That it happens so much that the only way a little kid can deal with it is to erase it from there fragile mind. An adult mind will remember, when it is ready and the trigger hit’s the nail on the head. GET IT, OWN IT, and BELIEVE IT!!!!! DO NOT judge a man unless you have walked in his shoes, for a thousand miles!!!!!!!!!
Just be happy it wasn't you in Matt's shoes.
ram-762581, completely agree with your analysis. It is horrifying for a victim to recognize the real abuse that happened and it is often walled off in the brain of a survivor. It takes certain incidents, words, smells, visual aids to help survivors recognize what really happened and this is then the break through point.
I wish that in such court cases the prosecution could make the defense talk. Even if the trial ended all those witnesses that were not allowed to speak in court should then be allowed to say what happened. The ones who were forced by the defense to not say anything: they should get their day in court even if it does not influence the trial.
So glad the adopted son spoke out and I know what that victim is going through. He sure showed that dumb broad that lived in the same house and knew exactly what was going on what courage is.
But then a woman like that would actually have to work to pay her own bills, wouldn't she?
Where is the justice if an overpayed lawyer can forbid a victim to speak out? No really, where is the justice there?
And futtheshuckup, (looooove your screen name), I will be more than happy to sign such a petition. Can I sign it several times? Lol.
Perhaps his wife really did not know: sometimes people have a double life without their family's knowledge. Abusers are extremely sneeky, manipulative and masters at mind games.
When we take back this once great country...we can get back to public hangings at the courthouse.
Plenty more trash like this POS in positions of power all over this county...HANG'EM HIGH !
Lets hope the justice system will complete its job by going after Sandusky's equally evil wife.
excellent point!
im so sick at whats happened to these guys. i have two grandsons i would kill for, what i dont get is how our senses are so offended by the horrer this little boys must have felt, but we condone the killing of the unborn everyday by the hundreds in this country
Yes, all life is precious and a gift to be treasured, nurtured, protected.
The difference is that these are real little boys..here and now. The unborn are just that..unborn. They are not ever to take priority over real people..the here and now people. edit.. of course I realize that a fetus is "real" but it is just potential until at least the 2nd or 3rd trimester. We must worry about the lives that are in this world..it's hard enough to feed all the mouths and protect all the innocent that require help now. For those who think I just don't care..you are wrong..I love children and am loved by a bunch of them..I have grandchildren and heart children. I do care..that is why I want to protect the ones that already exist.