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| Jerry Sandusky (photo credit John de Nugent) |
BELLEFONTE, Pa -- Former Penn State University football coach Jerry Sandusky's trial is officially over.
A Centre County jury has found Sandusky guilty of 45 of the 48 counts of child sexual abuse of which he was accused.
A jury of seven women and five men deliberated for the bulk of two days before reaching a verdict Friday night. The jury started going over testimony by former Penn State assistant coach Mike McQueary around 9am this morning.
Sandusky now faces a maximum sentence of 442 years in prison.
Jeremy Schaap and Roger Cossack were outside the courtroom...
((HT: ESPN))
Here's Sandusky being led out of the courtroom...
((HT: CNN))
And the thoughts of CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin- which are somewhat common amongst other folks...
Here's part of the statement from Penn State University itself...
Now that the jury has spoken, the University wants to continue that dialogue and do its part to help victims continue their path forward. To that end, the University plans to invite victims of Mr. Sandusky’s abuse to participate in a program to facilitate the resolution of claims against the University arising out of Mr. Sandusky's conduct. The purpose of the program is simple – the University wants to provide a forum where the University can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims' concerns and compensate them for claims relating to the University. Counsel to the University plan to reach out to counsel to the victims of Mr. Sandusky’s abuse in the near future with additional details.
The Paterno family weighs in briefly...
Although we understand the task of healing is just beginning, today's verdict is an important milestone. The community owes a measure of gratitude to the jurors for their diligent service. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families.
The lawyers for Matt Sandusky, Victim 3, and Victim 7...
Today a jury did what so many other people and institutions failed to do -- they held Jerry Sandusky accountable for sexually abusing children. This jury broke years of silence about Sandusky’s systematic targeting, grooming and abuse of children and finally delivered justice.
The verdict is a direct result of the victims’ inspiring courage. The victims’ provided heart-wrenching accounts of abuse, manipulation and betrayal by one of the most powerful and protected members of this community.
We believe this case represents a turning point on the issue of childhood sexual abuse in this community and in the nation. Because of these brave men, the public now knows much more about the horrors of childhood sexual abuse, better understands the challenges survivors face, and more fully appreciates the importance of holding child sexual abuse offenders and all those who protect them accountable.
Our clients are relieved about the outcome of this trial and are grateful for the support they have received from their families, and from the nation, as they continue on their path to healing.
Here's the rundown of the case charge-by-charge, thanks to our friends at WHP-TV... the HQ would agree that 45-out-of-48 is a good save percentage...
Naturally, Sandusky attorney Joe Amendola plans to appeal on the grounds of questionable legal decisions in and by the court during trial...
"If you win on one of the appeal issues, everything probably falls," attorney Joe Amendola said. "So all we have to do is convince an appellate court that one of the issues that we will raise is worthy of a reversal. ... It doesn't matter, it could be 100 counts, and it would still all come back if an appeal is granted."
The jury deliberated 21 hours over two days and Jerry Sandusky is now on suicide watch.
The next questions will fall with former Penn State vice president Gary Schultz and former Athletic Director Tim Curley for perjury and failing to report the abuse. Will the NCAA continue their investigation and to what extent...???
The "lack of institutional control" charge looms huge here...
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