Jerry Sandusky Sentence: 30-60 Years for Sexual Abuse; Do You Agree?
Jerry Sandusky's attorneys say they will appeal the decision. Sandusky could have received much more time.
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Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced today to 30-60 years in prison for sexually abusing 10 boys.
The sentence amounts to a life sentence for the 68-year-old Sandusky, but is far more lenient than the 400-plus years in prison he could have received for 45 guilty counts against him.
Tuesday's hearing at the Centre County Courthouse started at 9 a.m. Sandusky arrived wearing a red prison jumpsuit.
In the closed proceedings, Judge John M. Cleland heard arguments from prosecutors, the defense and victims, before Sandusky got the last word. One of the victims told Sandusky, "I will not forgive you," while another described the scars left by the sexual abuse, SportingNews reports.
As Cleland sentenced the disgraced ex-coach to 30-60 years, he told Sandusky, "For the rest of your life," according to NBC10.
According to reports, Sandusky gave a long “rambling” statement in court, still proclaiming his innocence. "We are going to smile through the pain. We're going to laugh. We're going to cry. Because that's who we are," SportingNews reported Sandusky said in court.
Legal analyst Wes Oliver on NBC 10 said the statement was emotionally unstable and “bizarre.”
On Monday, Sandusky also released an audio statement saying he was the victim of a conspiracy.
Sandusky was the defensive coordinator for many years at Penn State and was the presumed heir-apparent to legendary Penn State football coach Joe Paterno. Instead, Sandusky was arrested for the systematic sexual abuse of boys, and Paterno was fired. Paterno, who died in January, was accused of knowingly shielding Sandusky to protect the football program, a charge the Paterno family denied.
The sex abuse toppled the reputation of legendary coach Paterno, and will have repercussions at the university for years. The NCAA fined the university $60 million and stripped the school of all its victories back to 1998.
A source told CBS News that Sandusky is in discussions for a book deal. Pennsylvania law prevents convicted criminals from profiting from the details of the crime.
Tell us: Was the sentence right, too lenient or too harsh? Vote in the poll and leave your thoughts in the comments.
C.V.
1:32 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
The judge had an opportunity to make a statement about sexual abuse, but did not. While i know Sandusky will die in jail, he should have gotten a lengthier sentence to make a point. That being said, i am somehow doubting he will last long once he gets to federal jail. Death pool anyone?
Patch Reader
3:25 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Agreed C.V. ... should have been life w/o parole.
theresa barnett
3:52 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
YES YOUR OUT OF HEREEEEEEE! you thought just because you had a title you were all that and a bag of chips , sorry. It's a shame that you have to pray over your child before sending them out the door to go to school . not that you wouldn't pray for your child anyway ,but now it's like YOU BETTER NOT FOR GET BECAUSE SOMEONE IS SITTING ACCROSS FROM YOUR CHILD AND LUSTING OVER THEM .WOW !
One road town
4:06 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
So long as he can never be part of society again, I'm good with it ultimately. .... there also should be more Penn State employees facing the same sentences as well.
Townie
7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
What is a completely useless question. Should he die in jail or die in jail? The question is should we let him out into the general population to save money, or keep him separated? 30 years is the same as 300.
theresa barnett
9:16 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Good job judge ,good job.I believe Jerry Sandusky recieved the correct time in prison. As far as the cost to keep him....Does he need a check up from the neck up? does anyone who go' to prison get any help or do they do their time come out and repeat the same thing and WA LA! SEVERAL PEPOLE MAKE A LIVING OFF THAT PERSONS MISSTAKES AND THEIR TIME DID NOTSEEM TO PAY FOR THE CRIME.
theresa barnett
9:20 pm on Tuesday, October 9, 2012
lol about my spelling errors sorry.
Just doing what's right
7:18 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Excellent point Townie. We all know the unspeakable acts this man has done. He should be placed in general population and let the cards fall where they may. What concerns me is this man is still in denial.
According to reports, Sandusky gave a long “rambling” statement in court, still proclaiming his innocence. "We are going to smile through the pain. We're going to laugh. We're going to cry. Because that's who we are," SportingNews reported Sandusky said in court.
Legal analyst Wes Oliver on NBC 10 said the statement was emotional unstable and “bizarre.”
This man has lost all touch with reality. Mr. Sandusky, reality will find you quickly now that you have been placed where you belong.
Our Town
8:29 am on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Hmm, 30 years or put more appropriately, 8 months per guilty count...To normal human beings, that seems excessively light. To the good old boy networks in legislative, educational, and religious authorities that have worked hard to perpetuate and institutionalize rampant pedophilia and the repression of others, I'm sure this seems a just sentence if one of their own has to take one for the team.
Patrick Littel
7:12 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Jerry Sandusky is an evil, demented man. He will suffer in prison, regardless of whether or not he is placed in the general population.
Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely; little wonder he is still in denial.
I hope that the victims are somehow more at peace with this verdict. They are the ones who have lived lives compromised by Sandusky's actions. It would be great if they could now start to heal.
Townie
7:43 pm on Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Imagine you've done something so horrible that every friend, every relative, everyone on the planet knows you're evil. You can choose to continue the lie or give in. He's hopeful that something in the system breaks down (why not...it took decades to expose it). Act crazy, and maybe they won't put you in the yard with the rest of the miscreants.
He's about to find out what power and evil are all about...this time on the receiving end. He'll be dead within 10 years.
Cinnacide
2:03 am on Monday, October 15, 2012
400 years in prison? He's lucky both his grandparents lived well into their 430's.