Jerry Sandusky Trial: Former Penn State Coach Guilty On 45 Of 48 Counts

Jerry Sandusky has been found guilty on 45 of 48 charges against him, a verdict that could give him a maximum sentence of up to 442 years in prison.

Sporting News reports that the former Penn State assistant football coach has been convicted on almost all counts of his child sex abuse trial. Jurors announced the verdict shortly after 10 p.m. EST after weighing on 48 charges, which accused him of abusing 10 boys over a 15 year period.

MSNBC reports that the 68-year-old longtime defensive coordinator had denied all counts of abuse. Two grand jury reports have accused Sandusky of using his connection to one of the nation’s best football programs in order to “groom” the boys for sexual relationships. He reportedly met all 10 victims through his Second Mile charity for troubled children.

Several of the counts against Jerry Sandusky were so-called mandated felonies, which means that McKean County Senior Judge John Cleland has no discretion in their sentencing. The majority of these felonies carry sentences of 10 to 20 years in prison, effectively meaning that, with the guilty verdict, the former coach will spend the rest of his life in prison.

Sporting News reports that Joseph Amendola, the attorney for Sandusky, told reporters before the verdict was read that he would have been shocked if his client was acquitted on all charges. He stated that Sandusky and his wife, Dottie had spent all of Friday praying for the best. Amendola stated, though, that:

“I’ve used the best example I could use: climbing Mount Everest from the bottom of the mountain. It’s a daunting, daunting case.”

The end of the Sandusky trial does not mean the end of the case, as MSNBC reports that former Athletic Director Timothy Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz, two former top Penn State officials, also face perjury charges in connection with their December grand jury testimony, where prosecutors allege that the two concealed what they knew about the former coach’s conduct.

Are you surprised by the guilty verdict for Jerry Sandusky?

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