story by Sean Flynn
BELLEFONTE ? Former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing, bringing a swift conclusion to a hearing that was widely anticipated to last through the day and comprise the bulk of the prosecution’s case against him.
Eleven witnesses for the prosecution were scheduled to appear at the hearing, in which the prosecution was to present its case to the judge to determine whether the case would go to trial. Since Sandusky has waived his right to a preliminary hearing and entered a plea of not guilty, the case will proceed directly to trial.
Both the prosecuting attorneys for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and Jerry Sandusky’s defense lawyers attempted to claim the waiver as a victory for their side.
Pennsylvania Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo said that the alleged victims were relieved to not have to testify, and that waiving the hearing was entirely Sandusky’s perogative. ?He’s giving up rights; we’re not giving up anything,? Costanzo said.
Costanzo said that the witnesses in the case stood ready to testify at the preliminary hearing, but that ?they’re relieved that they don’t have to testify.? He dismissed suggestions of a plea bargain, flatly stating there had been ?no discussion of a plea bargain.?
?We’re ready for anything,? Costanzo said.
Sandusky’s lead defense attorney, Joe Amendola, said that waiving the hearing gave Sandusky a strategic advantage. Going through with the hearing meant that the prosecution would present the contents of the grand jury report, ?would just reaffirm what all of you think: that Jerry Sandusky is guilty.? He reasserted Sandusky’s innocence, calling the case ?a fight to the death? and ?the biggest game of Jerry Sandusky’s life.?
Amendola went on to outline his strategy for refuting the charges, saying that the defense would focus specifically on the credibility of former assistant coach Mike McQueary, and then the credibility of the ten victims.
Amendola pointed out that some of the victims had already filed civil cases, and suggested that they might be motivated by opportunity to profit. ?I’ve seen money tear families apart,? he said. ?What greater motivation could there than the financial gains from being a victim??
?The other thing we’re looking at is some sort of collusion [between the victims],? Amendola said.
With the hearing waived, the conditions of Sandusky’s release remain unchanged ? $250,000 bail, house arrest with electronic monitoring and a prohibition from contacting minors, victims or witnesses in the case.
The next scheduled court event is Sandusky’s arraignment in the Court of Common Pleas of Centre County on January 11, which his lawyers said he would not personally attend.
