Sandusky to appear in court Tuesday to face sex abuse charges, accusers

CENTRE COUNTY, Pa. —

A former Penn State University assistant coach will see his accusers for the first time on Tuesday since he was charged with dozens of sex crimes.

Jerry Sandusky is facing more than 50 charges of rape and molestation in a child sex abuse case that involved eight alleged victims.

One of the accusers named in a grand jury presentment as Victim No. 1 said he was abused by Sandusky more than 20 times in 2007 and 2008. He is expected to testify at the hearing.

The teen’s attorney, Michael Boni, said his client has been told to prepare by simply trying to relax as best as he can. Boni said he expects it will “be very difficult” for Sandusky.

At the preliminary hearing, for each alleged victim, prosecutors must convince a judge there’s enough evidence to go to trial.

With regard to the accusers, CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin said, “It’s a very embarrassing situation for most of them to be sure, and they’re going to be cross examined by someone who is determined to show they’re lying.”

Sandusky’s attorney said the former coach denies all of the charges and is doing his homework to help prepare for his defense.

Joe Amendola, Sandusky’s lawyer, said, “We’re looking for people to tell us specifically what they’re saying happened, and then what we’re going to do is start trying to prove that probably didn’t happen the way they said.”

Boni said his client is prepared to disprove that.

“He (alleged Victim No. 1) wants nothing more than to see this man behind bars and he will do whatever he can to assist in that process,” Boni said.

Authorities from every agency in Centre County will be at Tuesday’s preliminary hearing to handle the anticipated media crush with hundreds of reporters plus security needed for the high-profile case.

Sections of Allegheny, West High and East High streets around the courthouse will close Monday at 5 p.m. and likely won’t reopen until early Wednesday morning provided the preliminary hearing wraps up in one day.

Sandusky remains on house arrest with an ankle monitor.

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