Sandusky Hearing: Updates From The Courthouse
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky's was back in court today.
KDKA's Harold Hayes was in the courtroom and sent these updates as the proceedings happened:
10:16am: First issue on agenda is defense request for early release of grand jury testimony to defense. judge hopes for trial in May.
10:24am: Defense attorney Joe Amendola tells Judge that Jill Sandusky opposes grandchildren visits. She is ex wife of one of Sandusky's sons. But he is presenting letters from other grandchildren who claim to want to be able to visit in person and communicate with him via email and text etc. Defense proposes guidelines for proposed bail conditions. Thomas Young, who is Sandusky's probation officer, is testifying now.
10:29am: Young testifies Sandusky has complied with terms of probation.
When asked about Sandusky sitting on back porch, given concerns about the playground near that porch, Young says a restriction prohibiting him sitting on the porch would be more stringent than house arrest conditions for others who are on house arrest.
10:40am: Anthony Sassano, an agent for the Attorney General's office testifies that neighbor Paul Kletchka contacted him expressing concern about Sandusky sitting on the back porch watching kids in the playground next to the school, and he was concerned about Sandusky's own safety, given threats made against him.
According to his testimony, Amy Lloyd, a parent, told the agent that her 7 year old daughter expressed concern about Sandusky sitting on the porch.
Christie Williams, a worker at an after school program told the agent some students have said "That man is out there" when Sandusky sits on his back porch, according to the testimony of Agent Sassano.
10:51am: Defense argues Judge can fashion restrictions that do not require unusual requirements for Sandusky as opposed to other defendants on house arrest.
Prosecutor argues "His home was not safe for children for 15 years and it's not safe for them now."
10:55am: Attorneys now arguing change of Venire. Prosecutors now argue for out of county jury to be brought to Centre County. Defense wants the jury to be from Centre County.
11:04am: Prosecutors concerned about potential jurors who may have connections to Penn State or Second Mile, or to alleged victims or their families or those who agree with the sentiment that prosecutors "helped kill Joe Paterno through trumped up charges against Jerry Sandusky."
11:11am: Defense attorney Joe Amendola argues he has practiced law in Centre County for more than 30 years and has never had difficulty finding a fair and impartial jury.
11:20am: Sandusky takes stand as Senior Judge John Cleland asks him if he agrees with his attorney that he wants to keep a Centre County jury.
Sandusky tells judge he trusts his lawyer's judgment
11:22am: Judge tells Sandusky he cannot come back after a guilty verdict and argue he made the wrong decision.
11:28am: Judge says he will rule on all matters "very quickly" but did not say when. Hearing over
11:36am: Sandusky addresses media outside courthouse
2:28pm: Among other things Jerry Sandusky tells reporters:
"When I have a wife who came home after visiting with grandchildren, or who is sitting there when grandchildren call on my birthday, and they ask to talk to me and she has to tell them that they can't, I'm sensitive to that. Or when she comes home from visiting with grandchildren and tells me that one of them said that 'the only thing that I want for my birthday is to be able to see pop,' I'm sensitive to that. That's why I'm here today."
