Sandusky’s Trial Begins

The Sandusky trial kicked off this Monday, beginning, as we might have anticipated, with Victim 1’s testimony. The trial addressed Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, who allegedly used his status and the charity he established, The Second Mile, to supply him with young boys to groom for sexual exploitation. Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal accounts of sexually abusing these 10 boys over a 15 year period.

Victim 1, whose identity is being kept private, is represented by Slade McLaughlin. “He’s in good spirits, very calm, very relaxed,” his lawyer noted. The now 28-year-old spent several hours explaining in graphic detail how Sandusky picked him out and groomed him for a sexual relationship, beginning with playing sports with the youth, giving him gifts, introducing him to such legends as Lavara Arrington, and taking him to Penn State bowl games. They would shower together, which lead to fondling, wrestling, and finally oral sex.

Sandusky’s attorney, Joe Amendola, upon cross-examining the witness, attempted to portray the accuser as a liar who was playing up the Sandusky allegations to make money.

It is probable that the remaining eight victims will give similar testimony, that they were groomed and assaulted, presumably to be answered by the defense that they are trying to exploit Sandusky’s generosity to make money.

Sandusky’s attorney failed to get some of all of the counts dismissed or to delay the trial. He and Sandusky have plead innocent of all charges.