Few issues resolved at Sandusky pretrial hearing

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — The judge overseeing former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky’s child sex-abuse case said he would rule later on a number of issues raised at a pretrial hearing Thursday, including a request to have the charges dismissed.

During a 20-minute hearing that Sandusky attended, defense attorney Joe Amendola asked Judge John Cleland — if he opts to deny that request — to deny it without prejudice so he can raise it again later.

Prosecutors said more information about Sandusky’s conduct could result from an ongoing grand jury investigation. Cleland met with attorneys behind closed doors after the hearing to set deadlines for disclosure of other information before trial, including anything resulting from the grand jury investigation.

Amendola also told the court that the attorneys for two key witnesses — Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz — had informed him they would invoke the Fifth Amendment if called to testify at Sandusky’s trial.

Curley and Schultz are charged with perjury and failing to report allegations of child abuse. Both have pleaded not guilty.

In a catch-all pretrial motion filed last month, Amendola argued some charges were not specific enough, there was not enough evidence in some cases, and the statute of limitations may have expired for others.

Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years. He is confined to home while awaiting trial and has repeatedly denied the charges.

Both sides agree that prospective jurors should be questioned individually, and sequestered during the trial now set to begin June 5.

SportsPlus

News

Pressure on a veteran and senator shows what’s next for those who oppose Trump

News

Ontario premier says US energy exports will be cut off if Trump imposes sweeping tariffs on Canada

Mower County

City putting out the call for nominations for Pillars of the City

News

Cannabis agency drops plans for licensing fast track, early 2025 retail launch in Minnesota grows doubtful

Austin Living

Austin Living: Song of the Season

Mower County

Paramount shifts to free admission for final live performance of the year

Mower County

In Your Community: Unity Chapters give to local organizations

Mower County

In Your Community: VFW donates to North Start Honor Flight

Mower County

In Your Community: Apple Lane celebrates food drive

Mower County

Help MnDOT name more snowplows! Submit your idea by Dec. 20

News

A prayer across the rural-urban divide: ‘Open our hearts, open our brains’

Blooming Prairie

Education Briefs

News

‘Polarization’ is Merriam-Webster’s 2024 word of the year

News

Justice Department ignored some policies when seizing reporters’ phone records, watchdog finds

News

Nikki Giovanni, poet and literary celebrity, has died at 81

Education

Board approves 6.73% levy increase

News

Trump promises to end birthright citizenship: What is it and could he do it?

Adams

Southland to present ‘Little Women’

News

How should the opioid settlements be spent? Those hit hardest often don’t have a say

News

Man arrested with weapon ‘consistent with’ gun in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO, police say

Business

Tradition of Service: Muffler Center to celebrate 50 years with open house on Dec. 14

Mower County

Cost-share available for old wells

Mower County

Christmas in the County to be held at Historical society on Dec. 14

Mower County

In Your Community: Duplicate Bridge