Jerry Sandusky To Claim Innocence Before Sentencing

Jerry Sandusky is expected to proclaim his innocence one final time tomorrow before a judge hands down his sentence. The former Penn State coach was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse and faces a sentencing between 10 and 218 years in jail.

Sandusky’s lawyer, Joe Amendola, told CBS that Sandusky has spent the last few days writing a statement for his sentencing. According to Amendola, Sandusky will tell the court one last time that he is innocent.

Amendola said:

“I anticipate Jerry will make a statement at his sentencing hearing on Tuesday in which he maintains his innocence. He will not ask for leniency although I will ask the court to impose concurrent sentences in the mitigated range of the sentencing guidelines.”

Judge John Cleland will hand down Sandusky’s sentence on Tuesday. Cleland will decide how many years the former Penn State coach will spend in prison. Cleland will also decide if Sandusky will be classified as a “sexually violent predator.” The classification will require Sandusky to register as a sex offender if he is ever released on parole.

The Washington Post reports that Cleland is expected to land somewhere in the middle when handing down his sentence. If Cleland hands Sandusky the average recommended sentence for each of his 45 crimes, the former Penn State coach will spend the next 72 year in jail before he is eligible for parole.

Do you think Jerry Sandusky should spend the rest of his life in prison?