Sandusky - trial

[joviroxx]

Hello CA people. Following this trial, I don't see how he can't be found guilty, but then again...

(

Adding eyerolls here!

Ive had a tough time following this trial. Its all just so awful, disgusting, upsetting, frustrating , tragic and on and on.

 

[jrmasm]

I'd like to know why Matt didn't take the stand? I wish the jury was able to hear this.

I long suspected this. When Matt's Ex got a restraining order against JS, I thought she knew something.

I heard on the news this morning that there were no charges filed with him (Matt) as a victim so he could only be called as a rebuttal witness. I don't understand the legality but since Sandusky didn't testify, his son couldn't be called as a rebuttal witness.

 

[Jennasis]

Matt will likely be part of the civil trials.

 

[luvmy3jewels]

Matt will likely be part of the civil trials.

Or Matt could be used in the next criminal trial, should this current trial end with a hung jury. Apparently, there are several additional vicitms that came forward after the original indictments that have not been included in this trial. It's sickening to think that this one man could hurt so many boys over the years and got away with it until now.

Last night I read several articles that described Jerry as smiling and chuckling to himself when the prosecution was making their final argument. What kind of person would smile when hearing the horrific things he is accused of? His demeanor during this entire trial has been baffling to me. I guess he is so smug that he is going to get off, he isn't even attempting to take this seriously.

 

[jrmasm]

SCUMBAG. If he somehow walks, my head might explode.

I saw interviews yesterday of people that were in the court room. Some of the idiots actually said they believe he is innocent based on what they saw.

It could happen.

 

[DebbieB]

After OJ and Casey Anthony, anything can happen. I just don't understand how it was allowed to go on for years with no one stepping forward to authorities. It just allowed him to keep doing it thinking he could get away with it. So sad.....

 

[Jennasis]

They interviewed another victim on the Today Show this am, He was not a witness used in the trial. The plain fact is that it is MONUMENTALLY EMBARRASSING to be a victim of sexual abuse and coming forward is terribly difficult. I can't imagine anyone making it up. Who wants that type of thing associated with them? Then you wind up "a victim" "damaged goods" etc...or at least you feel that way.

These poor boys. That monster. WHEN he gets convicted, he'll get all the molesting he could have ever possibly wanted...IN JAIL.

 

[LisaR]

This explains why Matt didn't take the stand:

http://news.yahoo.com/ncaaf--matt-s...e-foster-son-jury-deliberations-20120622.html

Snipped:

So why didn't special deputy attorney general Joseph E. McGettigan III call what would've been a blockbuster witness against his father, who faces 48 counts for abusing 10 boys over a 15 year period?

He couldn't. At least he couldn't without risking the defense being able to call for a continuance that may have delayed the trial for months and caused the reseating of a jury and the potential retrying of a case the state feels very strong about.

Matt Sandusky's revelations came too late. He wasn't included in the original indictment, meaning he couldn't be a prosecution witness without the defense arguing that they need time to prepare for the new charge.

The only way for Matt Sandusky to become a witness would've been if Jerry Sandusky had testified in his own defense. Then on cross-examination, McGettigan could've addressed the potential abuse and later called Matt Sandusky as a rebuttal witness but not as an alleged victim.

That may have played into the defense's decision to not put Jerry Sandusky on the stand, which defense sources say wasn't made until Wednesday morning, just hours before it rested its case.

"If they put [Matt] on this week, the defense would've asked for a continuance because they would've had no time to prepare," said ESPN legal analyst Roger Cossack. "So they only could've introduced him if Jerry Sandusky had testified."

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

I originally thought it was a regular son who happened to be adopted, like his son from birth or close and in that situation it'd be highly unusual for him to have abused him as well, yes.

Generally incest abusers don't cross. They almost never pose a danger to outsiders; there are a lot of differences between incest offenders and other types of child molesters.

From what I know of the case, Sandusky appears to be pretty classic for what he is, and incest would be a very weird component. However, given the story behind the adoption, it fits neatly.

Child molesters abuse either their own children or non-biological children? News to me.

This explains why Matt didn't take the stand:

http://news.yahoo.com/ncaaf--matt-s...e-foster-son-jury-deliberations-20120622.html

Snipped:

So why didn't special deputy attorney general Joseph E. McGettigan III call what would've been a blockbuster witness against his father, who faces 48 counts for abusing 10 boys over a 15 year period?

He couldn't. At least he couldn't without risking the defense being able to call for a continuance that may have delayed the trial for months and caused the reseating of a jury and the potential retrying of a case the state feels very strong about.

Matt Sandusky's revelations came too late. He wasn't included in the original indictment, meaning he couldn't be a prosecution witness without the defense arguing that they need time to prepare for the new charge.

The only way for Matt Sandusky to become a witness would've been if Jerry Sandusky had testified in his own defense. Then on cross-examination, McGettigan could've addressed the potential abuse and later called Matt Sandusky as a rebuttal witness but not as an alleged victim.

That may have played into the defense's decision to not put Jerry Sandusky on the stand, which defense sources say wasn't made until Wednesday morning, just hours before it rested its case.

"If they put [Matt] on this week, the defense would've asked for a continuance because they would've had no time to prepare," said ESPN legal analyst Roger Cossack. "So they only could've introduced him if Jerry Sandusky had testified."

Thanks for posting that info.

I didn't realize that Matt was adopted as an adult. He had been a foster child before then. If he, in the future, ever testifies, the defense is going to have a field day with that...why allow oneself, as an adult, to be adopted by an abuser? I'm NOT saying I don't believe Matt...I do, 100%. I'm just saying that the defense would go after him, like they've gone after the others who never said anything before to anyone, or continued a relationship with Sandusky. It's all so heartbreaking.

 

[cornflake]

Child molesters abuse either their own children or non-biological children? News to me. Thanks for posting that info.

I didn't realize that Matt was adopted as an adult. He had been a foster child before then. If he, in the future, ever testifies, the defense is going to have a field day with that...why allow oneself, as an adult, to be adopted by an abuser? I'm NOT saying I don't believe Matt...I do, 100%. I'm just saying that the defense would go after him, like they've gone after the others who never said anything before to anyone, or continued a relationship with Sandusky. It's all so heartbreaking.

There are many different types of child molesters, who have different motivating factors and end up with different victim pools, and pose different levels of danger to the community, to others, etc. It's not just that anyone who molests a child will go after any kid, any place and grab kids off the street and etc. There are many factors to these crimes.

Incest offenders generally do not offend against strangers, no (though it's not necessarily non-biological; had his son been adopted as an infant the prosecutor wouldn't have to explain why they'd consider an incest charge, it'd be normal.). They also tend to have a very low recidivism rate.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

There are many different types of child molesters, who have different motivating factors and end up with different victim pools, and pose different levels of danger to the community, to others, etc. It's not just that anyone who molests a child will go after any kid, any place and grab kids off the street and etc. There are many factors to these crimes.

Incest offenders generally do not offend against strangers, no (though it's not necessarily non-biological; had his son been adopted as an infant the prosecutor wouldn't have to explain why they'd consider an incest charge, it'd be normal.). They also tend to have a very low recidivism rate.

Yeah, I get that about molesters not grabbing just any kid off the street and that not all child molesters (or rapists, or murderers, or thieves, or...) are the same. I also get that out of the thousands of kids that Jerry Sandusky may have had contact with, there are many many that he did NOT abuse. There has to be opportunity involved. I just never heard that most child molesters don't "cross". You seem to believe you're quite knowledgeable about child molester profiles; have you studied them? Are you in a career of counseling or defending victims? Have you done research since this case came to light? I'm just curious, since you seemed SO surprised that a person such as Sandusky (whose abuse of victims appears to be so far-reaching) would NOT abuse his own children. Just interesting to me, since it's not something I ever heard before, but then, I never studied it myself.

Per InSession, Sandusky, his wife, his lawyers and (?) are in chambers with the judge. Wonder what's up.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Per InSession, Sandusky, his wife, his lawyers and (?) are in chambers with the judge. Wonder what's up.

And a court reporter.

Could be anything, per InSession. Everything that happens requires a court reporter. Could just be about something as innocuous as how long they're taking for lunch. Or, could be a note from the jury with a question that needs to be addressed. Could be any number of things.

 

[jrmasm]

Child molesters abuse either their own children or non-biological children? News to me. Thanks for posting that info.

I didn't realize that Matt was adopted as an adult. He had been a foster child before then. If he, in the future, ever testifies, the defense is going to have a field day with that...why allow oneself, as an adult, to be adopted by an abuser? I'm NOT saying I don't believe Matt...I do, 100%. I'm just saying that the defense would go after him, like they've gone after the others who never said anything before to anyone, or continued a relationship with Sandusky. It's all so heartbreaking.

What does this mean? How old was he when he was adopted? I googled and didn't find the answer.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

What does this mean? How old was he when he was adopted? I googled and didn't find the answer.

I have no idea. That was just per InSession.

Also:
In Session


Latest update from the courtroom: Defense attorneys Karl Rominger and Joseph Amendola just appeared from the small room near the the courtroom (where Sandusky usually waits) and went through the door toward chambers. They had papers in their hands. At this point attorneys are not in the courtroom but the AG investigation team on this case is sitting in the well of the courtroom.

Which, once again, I assume, could mean nothing.

 

[LisaR]

What does this mean? How old was he when he was adopted? I googled and didn't find the answer.

He was 16 when he met JS and 18 when they officially adopted him.


Jerry Sandusky and his wife Dorothy raised six children, all of whom were adopted, and one of whom, Matt, tried to kill himself shortly after moving in with the Sanduskys.
The first recorded time that Jerry Sandusky’s behavior was called into question dates back to his son Matt’s suicide attempt in 1995.

Matt Sandusky, now 32, came into the coach home through The Second Mile, after having a troubled childhood.

Even after getting involved with the charity, Matt Sandusky ran into legal trouble at the age of 16 when he burned down a barn and was taken in as a foster child by the coach and his wife for two years before being legally adopted by the couple.

Shortly after he moved into the house, however, Matt Sandusky tried to kill himself, prompting some raised alarms.

Read more: http://www.bellenews.com/2011/11/13...r-moving-in-with-the-sanduskys/#ixzz1yXtT1RGE

 

[jrmasm]

]He was 16 when he met JS and 18 when they officially adopted him.[/B]
Jerry Sandusky and his wife Dorothy raised six children, all of whom were adopted, and one of whom, Matt, tried to kill himself shortly after moving in with the Sanduskys.
The first recorded time that Jerry Sandusky’s behavior was called into question dates back to his son Matt’s suicide attempt in 1995.

Matt Sandusky, now 32, came into the coach home through The Second Mile, after having a troubled childhood.

Even after getting involved with the charity, Matt Sandusky ran into legal trouble at the age of 16 when he burned down a barn and was taken in as a foster child by the coach and his wife for two years before being legally adopted by the couple.

Shortly after he moved into the house, however, Matt Sandusky tried to kill himself, prompting some raised alarms.

Read more: http://www.bellenews.com/2011/11/13...r-moving-in-with-the-sanduskys/#ixzz1yXtT1RGE

According to the Times, Matt was about 11 years old when he went to live with the Sanduskys as a foster child.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...aims-of-abuse-by-father-make-case-even-uglier

I still haven't seen where it says how old he was when he was adopted. But i'll assume as you said that he was 18.

Strange he wasn't adopted until he was 18. Wonder if his mother wouldn't give up her rights? Heck, I'm surprised you can even adopt an 18 year old.

 

[LisaR]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...aims-of-abuse-by-father-make-case-even-uglier

I still haven't seen where it says how old he was when he was adopted. But i'll assume as you said that he was 18.

Strange he wasn't adopted until he was 18. Wonder if his mother wouldn't give up her rights? Heck, I'm surprised you can even adopt an 18 year old.

Hmmmm.......who knows? Can't trust the internet, I guess!

Didn't a 40+ year old guy just adopt his 20+ year old girlfriend as his daughter so he could divert his funds to her before a pending lawsuit? If they let that happen, I doubt it is a big deal to let a foster family adopt an 18 y/o that has been living with them for the past 2 to 7 years.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

He was 16 when he met JS and 18 when they officially adopted him.


Jerry Sandusky and his wife Dorothy raised six children, all of whom were adopted, and one of whom, Matt, tried to kill himself shortly after moving in with the Sanduskys.
The first recorded time that Jerry Sandusky’s behavior was called into question dates back to his son Matt’s suicide attempt in 1995.

Matt Sandusky, now 32, came into the coach home through The Second Mile, after having a troubled childhood.

Even after getting involved with the charity, Matt Sandusky ran into legal trouble at the age of 16 when he burned down a barn and was taken in as a foster child by the coach and his wife for two years before being legally adopted by the couple.

Shortly after he moved into the house, however, Matt Sandusky tried to kill himself, prompting some raised alarms.

Read more: http://www.bellenews.com/2011/11/13...r-moving-in-with-the-sanduskys/#ixzz1yXtT1RGE

That's a disturbing article, and one that a defense attorney would have a field day quoting if there is any testimony in the future by Matt Sandusky against Jerry Sandusky.

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/...aims-of-abuse-by-father-make-case-even-uglier

I still haven't seen where it says how old he was when he was adopted. But i'll assume as you said that he was 18.

Strange he wasn't adopted until he was 18. Wonder if his mother wouldn't give up her rights? Heck, I'm surprised you can even adopt an 18 year old.

I've heard of others being adopted way over 18, including the case LisaR quotes (I think that was a drunk driving death resulting case?). There was a socialite (name escapes me) who adopted a young woman, and there was a legal case after the socialite's death because the younger woman inherited. I think. Unless that was a LifeTime Movie plot.

Didn't a 40+ year old guy just adopt his 20+ year old girlfriend as his daughter so he could divert his funds to her before a pending lawsuit? If they let that happen, I doubt it is a big deal to let a foster family adopt an 18 y/o that has been living with them for the past 2 to 7 years.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Didn't a 40+ year old guy just adopt his 20+ year old girlfriend as his daughter so he could divert his funds to her before a pending lawsuit?

He was 48 and she was 42!

http://abcnews.go.com/Business/mill...-adoption-girlfriend-tossed/story?id=15553385

 

[jrmasm]

That's a disturbing article, and one that a defense attorney would have a field day quoting if there is any testimony in the future by Matt Sandusky against Jerry Sandusky.
I've heard of others being adopted way over 18, including the case LisaR quotes (I think that was a drunk driving death resulting case?). There was a socialite (name escapes me) who adopted a young woman, and there was a legal case after the socialite's death because the younger woman inherited. I think. Unless that was a LifeTime Movie plot.

I guess I've been living under a rock. I had no idea you could adopt an adult. That's just weird.