BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Before his arrest on child-molestation charges seven months ago, Jerry Sandusky was considered a living Penn State sports legend and the founder of an exemplary organization that worked with at-risk children.
Then came allegations, spelled out in a pair of grand- jury reports, that a monster was concealed beneath a veneer of respectability and charitable leadership, a man who would systematically target and groom boys to feed predatory sexual desires.
Despite Sandusky’s repeated requests for delays, it appears the case will get underway Tuesday with the selection of jurors from among his neighbors in the central Pennsylvania county that is home to Penn State.
After months of planning, court officials say they are prepared for what could be several weeks of trial, building on experiences in other states with high-profile proceedings. About 250 reporters have registered to attend, and 29 television trucks are expected in tiny Bellefonte.
“I think we’re ready to go. A few loose ends between now and Monday night, maybe even Tuesday morning, but we’re pretty confident we’re ready,” said Jim Koval, spokesman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts.
The former defensive coordinator has consistently maintained his innocence, so jurors will have to sort out which of the two versions of Jerry Sandusky is the truth: the avuncular ex-coach devoting his life to help needy children or the predator who used his access to boys to commit vile and criminal sexual attacks?
Sandusky’s lawyers are seeking dismissal of all or some of the 52 counts against him, which are more than enough to send the 68-year-old defendant to prison for the rest of his life.
Sandusky’s wife, Dottie, has stood by him, posting his bond and issuing a statement in early December that said the accusers had concocted lies that left her “shocked and dismayed.” Sandusky appeared on NBC to deny he was a pedophile.
He later revisited the topic, telling The New York Times the question took him aback.
“I was sitting there saying, ‘What in the world is this question?’ You know, if I say, no, I’m not attracted to boys, that’s not the truth, because I’m attracted to young people, boys, girls …,” he said.
Sandusky hasn’t given any more interviews, and Judge John Cleland later issued a gag order that has stopped his lawyers and prosecutors from talking about the case.
