For Jerry Sandusky, the embattled former Penn State football assistant coach who has publicly maintained his innocence amid allegations that he sexually abused at least 10 child victims, today’s preliminary hearing marks the first step in the country’s most anticipated criminal defense.
The proceedings, which are set to unfold at the Centre County courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa., reflect the first chance for Sandusky’s attorney, Joseph L. Amendola, to gather information from his client’s alleged victims under oath. According to several lawyers interviewed by The Legal , the extent of the attorney’s questioning will be largely under the discretion of Senior Magisterial District Judge Robert E. Scott, who has been specially assigned from Westmoreland County to preside over the hearing.
