Sandusky attorney ‘looking forward’ to opportunity to question witnesses against ex-coach

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. —

The attorney for former Penn State University assistant coach Jerry Sandusky said he’s “looking forward to this opportunity” to question witnesses at an upcoming preliminary hearing.

Joe Amendola, who is defending Sandusky in a child sex abuse case, said, “Although the preliminary hearing is not a trial, but simply a probably cause proceeding, we will, for the very first time, have the opportunity to face Jerry’s accusers and question them under oath about their allegations.”

The hearing is set for Dec. 13 and at least one alleged victim is planning to testify.

Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts of child sex abuse spanning over 15 years. He admitted to showering with young boys but proclaims his innocence and denies all accusations.

Sandusky previously said, “In my mind, there wasn’t inappropriate behavior and I said, if you want to, you could speak to a young person… I enjoy spending time with young people. That is what I was trying to say. I enjoy spending time with young people. I enjoy spending time with people.”

There will be no general admission and no first come, first serve at the courthouse to gain entrance to the hearing for the Dec. 13 hearing scheduled for 8:30 a.m. Instead, the Centre County Court of Common Pleas has established a “lottery” to award a limited number of seats.

Applications for seating will be accepted on the county Web page at www.co.centre.pa.us/media on Wednesday starting at noon and will remain open until noon on Thursday. A random drawing will be held to assign available seats for this preliminary hearing. Those drawn will be notified by email by Friday and given instructions for picking up their pass for entrance.

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