Tuesday, January 31, 2012

Sandusky to learn abuse accusers' names this week

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1999, file photo, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with his defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day at State College, Pa. In a statement made Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, retired Penn State assistant coach Sandusky, who faces child sex abuse charges in a case that led to the firing of Paterno, says Paterno's death is a sad day. (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File)

FILE - In this Aug. 6, 1999, file photo, Penn State head football coach Joe Paterno, right, poses with his defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky during Penn State Media Day at State College, Pa. In a statement made Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012, retired Penn State assistant coach Sandusky, who faces child sex abuse charges in a case that led to the firing of Paterno, says Paterno's death is a sad day. (AP Photo/Paul Vathis, File)

(AP) ? Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will learn by the end of the week the names of the 10 young men he is charged with having sexually abused, according to a court document filed late Monday by state prosecutors.

The attorney general's office said that the alleged victims' names will be delivered to Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola by the close of business Friday, a process that would apparently avoid disclosure through public court records.

Sandusky, 68, is awaiting trial on charges he committed a range of abuse against 10 boys over a 15-year period, including alleged sexual assaults on Penn State property. He has denied the allegations.

The names of the 10 young men were not disclosed in the grand jury reports, which listed them as victims Nos. 1 through 10.

"The only statement I have is, he knows who they are," said Jeffrey Fritz, a lawyer for the young man called Victim 4 in the first grand jury report. "But putting that aside, my understanding of criminal procedure is, he's entitled to that."

Attorney Slade McLaughlin, who represents "Victim 1," said Amendola told him Tuesday that he needs the names to prepare Sandusky's legal defense and does not intend to publicize them.

"I would think that most media personnel would keep the information private even if it were made public by Amendola, but there are always a few bad eggs in every barrel, so who knows," McLaughlin said.

The scandal resulted in the ousting of school President Graham Spanier and longtime coach Joe Paterno, who died Jan. 22, and has brought shame to one of college football's legendary programs.

Athletic Director Tim Curley has been placed on administrative leave, and Vice President Gary Schultz, who was in charge of the university's police department, has stepped down.

Schultz and Curley are charged with lying to the grand jury and failure to report the alleged abuse to police. Like Sandusky, they have maintained their innocence.

Amendola has requested a document from prosecutors that would include names of purported victims along with the times, locations and other information to back up the 52 criminal counts against the former Penn State defensive coordinator.

The attorney general's offices said in a document filed in Centre County court that the grand jury reports, charging documents and discovery materials lay out the facts sufficiently.

Sandusky "has at his disposal ample information to be apprised of the charges, avoid surprise, and intelligently raise any double jeopardy or statute of limitations challenges," prosecutors wrote, asking the judge to deny the request.

Amendola said Tuesday he had not read the attorney general's response, and a spokesman for the attorney general's office declined to comment beyond what was contained within the court filing.

Judge John M. Cleland has scheduled a Feb. 10 hearing to resolve any remaining disputes concerning the defense request, and to consider Sandusky's attempt to modify bail conditions so he may have contact with his grandchildren.

Sandusky, currently under house arrest in State College, wants permission for his 11 grandchildren to visit his home, accompanied by a parent, as well as to be allowed to communicate with them by phone or computer.

Associated Press

Source: http://hosted2.ap.org/APDEFAULT/3d281c11a96b4ad082fe88aa0db04305/Article_2012-01-31-Penn%20State-Abuse/id-91efab53c98d490685728970b0283a60

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