A look at Penn State scandal legal fallout after 5 years
HARRISBURG, Pa. — It’s been nearly five years since retired Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested on child molestation charges, and earlier this month he testified as he seeks to have his 45-count criminal conviction overturned. The scandal has produced new state laws regarding child abuse, millions in civil settlements to his victims and significant changes to Penn State’s policies and procedures.
An update on the status of the various legal proceedings that remain pending:
COMMONWEALTH V. SANDUSKY
Sandusky testified in his latest appeal, which is confined to allegations of newly discovered evidence, constitutional violations or ineffective counsel. He has already lost direct appeals to the state Superior and Supreme courts. The current appeal has delved into decisions after his 2011 arrest to waive the preliminary hearing, give a television interview and not to take the stand on his own behalf. It also has aired questions about the identity of a key figure known as Victim 2, and about leaks of information regarding the grand jury that investigated him. The judge has not said when he will rule. If Sandusky wins, he could have charges dismissed or get a new trial. If he loses, he could ask the state appeals courts to review such a decision. Federal courts also could provide him another avenue of appeal. In the meantime, he is serving a 30- to 60-year sentence and is kept largely segregated from other inmates at Greene State Prison.