BELLEFONTE — The Centre County Courts have released the full transcript from the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse trial.
The public can now read the full testimony of all witnesses, plus previously unheard conversations between attorneys and judge that were held at side-bars during the trial and private discussions in the judge’s chambers.
One discussion involved the defense’s decision to keep Sandusky from testifying in his own defense. Defense attorney Joe Amendola told the judge that the entire defense revolved around Sandusky testifying. Amendola said Sandusky fully intended to testify.
That all changed when prosecutors revealed that Sandusky’s son Matt came forward during the trial to say that he was abused by his adoptive father. The defense told the judge if Jerry Sandusky took the stand, they feared prosecutors would call Matt to the stand. The defense said that could destroy their case.
In fact, the transcript shows that Amendola asked that the trial be declared a mistrial because of the Matt Sandusky revelation.
Jurors never heard the details about Matt Sandusky. They convicted Sandusky of nearly every count against him. Sandusky is scheduled for sentencing October 9th.
You can read the transcript through a link on the Centre County Government’s website. Look for documents posted on September 21st:
