Jerry Sandusky's child sex abuse trial begins

The next couple of weeks the media, on-radio, print, on-line and TV will be buzzing with this story. I again am sending out prayers and good thoughts to the victims and their families. This will be a grueling couple of weeks for all of those involved. This story will be helpful in many ways. For one learning the grooming techniques that Sandusky used on his victims will be useful information. This information can be used to educate parents, educators, professionals and of course children. We will hear of these techniques from the very people he victimized. This story has already been helpful by bringing to light the need for colleges and universities to look at who their mandated reporters should be. There have been several stories since the breaking of this story on colleges, universities and private/elite high schools who have all dealt with the issue of child sexual abuse.

This story has brought to light the reality that there are adults who harm children. There are adults who specifically put themselves in positions where they can be near children. They use grooming and manipulation to get what they want. And they tend to prey on children who are the most vulnerable. Most importantly this story has helped bring to light the sexual abuse of boys. I think sometimes this is forgotten. While it is widely speculated that 1 out of 6 boys is sexually abused. There are those who believe that this is much closer to what girls experience, 1 out of 3. Stories like this help people to find their voices. I have been reading on twitter especially, stories of these men. The emotion, intensity, and raw truth has made me cry. Their courage and bravery is not lost on me. When we survivors find our voices we get to use them in the most positive light. We can help others to understand why preventing this epidemic is important. If people clearly understand the impact that child sexual abuse has on children and those of us who are fortunate to become adults. Then maybe more in society will become outraged and join us in helping to stop this terrible epidemic. Rosie

Published: Monday, June 11, 2012, 9:06 AM     Updated: Monday, June 11, 2012, 9:18 AM

By The Associated Press

 

Gene J. Puskar / AP PhotoIn this Tuesday file photo

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- A jury of seven women and five men will get their first glimpse of the case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky - and his defense - when opening statements begin inside a central Pennsylvania courthouse.
Sandusky's lawyers and state prosecutors have been under a gag order for months, so their outline of the case to jurors Monday should reveal new details about an investigation that has taken several years.
Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts that he sexually abused 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he's consistently denied. Sandusky's lawyers were not able to get the judge to delay the trial, and on Friday Judge John Cleland rejected their request to have some or all of the counts dismissed.

 A pair of scathing grand jury reports allege Sandusky sexually abused young boys he met through the Second Mile, a charity he established in 1977. Sandusky allegedly used his connection to the football program and gifts to groom boys for sexual contact that the grand jury said occurred at his home or in the team facility's on Penn State's campus.
Sandusky arrived shortly after 8 a.m. with his attorney, Joe Amendola. He didn't respond to questions but smiled briefly before entering the courthouse.
Many of the alleged victims are expected to take the stand for the prosecution, and their credibility in jurors' eyes could prove to be the decisive factor in determining the verdict.


Slade McLaughlin, the attorney for the teen identified in the grand jury report as Victim 1, said he expects his client to testify Monday or Tuesday.
"He's in good spirits, very calm, very relaxed," McLaughlin said as he waited for a seat inside the courtroom.
Several dozen members of the public stood in line outside the courthouse, also hoping to get a seat. Outside, satellite trucks lined the streets of Bellefonte, the small town about 10 miles from Penn State where as massive media contingent gathered for the trial.
However the criminal case ends, when it comes to getting to the bottom of what happened, the trial will definitely not be the final word.
The state attorney general's office has repeatedly indicated it has an "active and ongoing" related investigation, and the mere existence of the open investigation suggests additional criminal charges could result.
There also clearly is a federal investigation, but there are few details beyond the fact that Penn State said that in February it had been issued a wide-ranging subpoena from the U.S. attorney's office in Harrisburg, seeking computer records and other information.
Two Penn State administrators are awaiting trial on charges they failed to properly report suspected abuse and lied to the grand jury investigating Sandusky. The pending charges raise the prospect that investigators under the attorney general's office may be continuing to look into that matter, which commonly occurs after charges are filed and before trial.
Several of Sandusky's alleged victims have retained attorneys, although only one has so far filed a civil complaint. That case is on hold until Sandusky's trial wraps up, and other lawyers also have indicated they are holding back until a verdict is reached.

Related topics: Jerry Sandusky, Penn State University

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2012/06/jerry_sanduskys_child_sex_abus.html