Bellefonte, PA -The second week in the 52 count indictment trial of Gerald Sandusky began today with the prosecution reducing Sandusky’s 52 pick-up to 51.

Victim 7  allegations  involved in 4 of the counts against Sandusky was past the statute of limitations prior to 1997 for only one of the 4 allegations.

The prosecution rested its case following a gripping and heart wrenching testimony from the mother of a victim who had extensive stomach issues at the ages of 15-17 and would frequently discard bloody underwear following an involuntary sodomy encounter with Sandusky.  “I dealt with it”, he said.

Coordinating His Defense

Starting today, Sandusky suits up and gets off the bench.  Perhaps literally.

Sandusky Attorney Joseph Amendola alluded in his opening statement his client would testify.

The PA Attorney General’s Office contacting NBC Friday for an authenticated transcript of Jer’s interview with Bob Costas, appearing on Rock Center with Brian Williams last Friday seems to confirm the possibility.

Among the edited and un-aired version of the televised but edited interview are some of Sandusky’s “hooked on histrionics” examples.

 Sandusky:  ”I’m a very passionate person in terms of trying to make a difference in the lives of some young people,” Sandusky said in the interview. “I worked very hard to try to connect with them. To make them feel good about themselves. To be something significant in their lives. Maybe this gets misinterpreted, has gotten depending on. … I know a lot of young people where it hasn’t. I have worked with many, many young people where there has been no misinterpretation of my actions and I have made a very significant difference in their lives.”

Costas : “But isn’t what you’re just describing the classic MO of many pedophiles?” he asked. “And that is that they gain the trust of young people, they don’t necessarily abuse every young person. There were hundreds, if not thousands of young boys you came into contact with, but there are allegations that at least eight of them were victimized. Many people believe there are more to come. So it’s entirely possible that you could’ve helped young boy A in some way that was not objectionable while horribly taking advantage of young boy B, C, D and E. Isn’t that possible?”

Sandusky : “Well — you might think that. I don’t know. In terms of — my relationship with so many, many young people. I would — I would guess that there are many young people who would come forward. Many more young people who would come forward and say that my methods and — and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life. And I didn’t go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I’ve helped. There are many that I didn’t have — I hardly had any contact with who I have helped in many, many ways.”

The excerpts that were edited and unaired during the “Rock” interview clearly confront the issues within the indictment in place at the time.  Bob Costas was not shy in forming his questions which were also well researched. (more…)