Prosecutors to put more accusers on the stand Tuesday in Sandusky trial

Legal experts tell 6 News that prosecutors from the Attorney General’s office had a good first day in court on Monday, making a strong case that Jerry Sandusky committed serial sex abuse crimes.

Sandusky returned to the courthouse in Bellefonte just after 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday. Sandusky and his attorney maintain that the young men are accusers — not victims — and said the men have a financial interest in the case. Sandusky faces 52 criminal counts and denies the allegations.

As she did on Monday, Sandusky’s wife, Dottie, was by his side as he arrived for the second day of testimony. She was not permitted in the courtroom for much of Monday’s proceedings because she may be asked to take the witness stand.

Prosecutors warned the testimony would be graphic and gruesome. On Monday, alleged Victim 4 said Sandusky treated him like his girlfriend and gave him expensive gifts in exchange for sexual favors.

Alleged Victim 4, who was the first witness to take the stand against the former Penn State assistant coach, says he regrets having kept the alleged sexual abuse a secret, and feels guilty that prosecutors say other boys were victimized after him.

The man told jurors that the 68-year-old Sandusky molested him in the locker room showers and in hotels while trying to ensure his silence with gifts and trips.

The 28-year-old man said Sandusky sent him “creepy love letters” and treated him like a son in public, but like a girlfriend in private.

Another key witness, called Victim 1 in court papers, is expected to take the stand Tuesday. Victim 1 is credited for sparking the investigation after an incident at a Clinton County high school in 2008.

There is a gag order in the case, but it does not include attorneys who are representing the alleged victims. The attorneys have been around the courthouse offering their insight into the case and Tom Kline, the attorney for the man referred to in court papers as Victim 5, said prosecutors have already made a strong case.

“My client is one of many of the now alleged victims that will come forward and testify that he was in the shower like the young man you heard testify (Monday) in the courtroom and some of the same kinds of conduct occurred,” Kline said.

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