Sandusky says he wants to see his grandchildren, requests change in bail

BELLEFONTE, Pa. —

Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky says he wants his bail restrictions eased so he can see longtime family friends and his young grandchildren while he awaits trial on child sex-abuse charges.

Sandusky told reporters following a pretrial hearing Friday that his grandchildren have expressed their hope they could see him for their birthdays — activities that would not be permitted under the terms of his release.

Sandusky said his “home has been open for 27 years to all kinds of people.”

But prosecutors said Sandusky’s home isn’t a safe place for children. Authorities say some of the alleged abuse happened in the home’s basement.

Sandusky also wants it to be easier for him to see old friends, who currently would need to be approved by probation officials.

During Friday’s hearing in Bellefonte, prosecutors said that it would be difficult to find potential jurors from Center County who are “completely unscathed” by the alleged crime. Prosecutors further said that there is a chance a juror could recognize one of the alleged victims.

In response to Sandusky’s request for eased bail restrictions, prosecutors argued that house arrest is a privilege.

Some people who live in Sandusky’s neighborhood have expressed safety concerns. Because of his house arrest, they don’t think he should be allowed outside.

One man said people saw Sandusky shoveling snow and sitting on his back porch watching children on the playground of Lemont Elementary School. State College Area School District officials said reports that a district employee filed a police complaint are not true.

Friday morning, school district spokeswoman Julie Miller said in a statement that, “The State College Area School District continues to follow all current safety and security measures district-wide. In addition, specifically at Lemont Elementary, we are maintaining an increased level of security with additional monitors during recess, and continued collaboration with state college police, along with our school-assigned police officers.”

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