Bellefonte braces for road closures, national media at Sandusky hearing

Authorities and court officials in Centre County are finalizing road closures, courtroom seating availability and parking for dozens of satellite news trucks in advance of Jerry Sandusky’s preliminary hearing, scheduled for Dec. 13.

Bellefonte Police Chief Shawn Weaver told 6News that sections of Allegheny Street, East High Street and West High Street near the courthouse will have to be cleared by 5 p.m. on Dec. 12, and the streets likely won’t reopen until the early-morning hours of Dec. 14.

“This is going to be the largest event that this town has probably ever seen,” said Weaver. “Parking is going to be hard to come by. So, if you can carpool or walk, or take the CATA bus, our local bus, that’s highly encouraged.”

Court organizers, local police and Sandusky’s attorney, Joe Amendola, told 6News that too much planning, including the anticipated testimony from several alleged victims, has been made to delay the Dec. 13 preliminary hearing date.

“That’s very important to Jerry’s defense,” said Amendola. “As long as Jerry says to me he’s innocent, I think we have to have a preliminary hearing.”

Although civil unrest in Bellefonte is unlikely, Weaver said that state troopers and members of every law enforcement agency in Centre County will be present at the preliminary hearing, after tens of thousands of dollars of private and public property were damaged during the Nov. 9 riot in downtown State College, following the abrupt firing of head football coach Joe Paterno.

“Anticipating it (a riot)? I would we would not have that type of activity in our town. However, we are prepared to deal with such matters,” said Weaver.