Sandusky pretrial hearing under way in Centre Co.

A hearing is under way in the case of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, whose trial on 52 child sexual abuse counts starts next week.

As expected, Sandusky is not at the hearing. His attorney, Joe Amendola, previously said Sandusky would not attend the hearing and 6 News spoke to probation officials who said they have no plans to bring Sandusky to the courthouse today.

Judge John Cleland planned the proceeding to take care of any remaining matters and this could be the final hearing before Sandusky’s trial on child sex abuse charges. This morning, Cleland again denied a request to delay the start of the trial.

Cleland also permitted reporters to use electronic devices in Courtroom 1, however they may not be used to transmit photographs from the courtroom or to record or broadcast any verbatim account of proceedings while court is in session.

The big talk this afternoon in Centre County was if Sandusky offered a plea bargain.  Cleland met with Sandusky and attorneys from both sides for about three hours Tuesday afternoon. 6 News does not know if there was any talk of a plea bargain, but it may have been brought up.

The 68-year-old former Penn State defensive coordinator denies the allegations against him.

Sandusky’s lawyers and state prosecutors are scheduled to start picking jurors from a pool of residents of the State College area on Tuesday. Officials said the trial will not start before June 11 and deciding on a jury is expected to take some time.

In another development on Wednesday, the attorney for alleged Victim 6 has requested that his identity be concealed during trial. Four other alleged victims — known as Victims 3, 4, 5 and 7 — made that same request on Tuesday.

Lawyers for alleged Victims 3, 5 and 7 filed motions asking Cleland to prevent identities of alleged victims from being disclosed publicly. Lawyers for Victim 4 are asking for a pseudonym to be used for him during the upcoming trial.

The lawyers for Victims 3 and 7 say Sandusky’s lawyer isn’t opposed, but they haven’t heard back from state prosecutors.

Victim 4’s lawyers said his psychologist is worried about what effect disclosure of his name will have on his well-being.

Cleland is also expected at Wednesday’s pretrial hearing to issue a decorum order that will address issues raised by the widespread public interest and media attention the case has generated.

6 News is in the courtroom and bring you the latest tonight starting at 5 p.m. Stay with 6 News, WJACTV.com and WJACTV.com for continuing coverage.