Judge Cleland Bans Dissemination of Information Not on the Record

Judge John Cleland signed an order Tuesday afternoon to protect any privileged information having to do with the Jerry Sandusky case from being disseminated to media and non-legal entities now that the trial is over and the gag order is lifted. 

The order comes on the same day NBC News released the tape of Matt Sandusky talking to police, during his adoptive father’s trial, about his abuse.

According to a two-page protective order signed Tuesday, Cleland wants to assure ‘the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations, to protect the privacy of victims who testified during the criminal trial and to protect the privacy of others who may testify, or who have testified, before the Investigating Grand Jury.’ 

Cleland banned the distribution of any materials given to Sandusky’s defense team by the prosecution not made part of the record during trial. This includes both mandatory and discretionary discovery material.

Sandusky’s defense team was also ordered to provide, within 10 days, an inventory of all materials supplied during discovery and to what entities any privileged information has been distributed. This is so the court and the investigative grand jury can ensure the protection of those parties who seek it. 

Sandusky, 68, is on suicide watch in the Centre County Correctional Facility as he awaits his sentence, expected at the end of 90 days and pending psychological evaluation. 

According to Karl Rominger, counsel for the defense, Sandusky maintains his innocence. He was convicted on 45 of 48 criminal charges of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period. He was taken into police custody after his bail was revoked at 10:09 p.m. Friday.