Ex-Penn State coach Sandusky waives hearing

[Seedersandleechers]

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky opted against a preliminary hearing in his child molestation case, sparing his accusers from making their claims in a packed courtroom Tuesday but still vowing "to fight for four quarters" as he defends himself.

His decision to waive the hearing, though unexpected, is not unusual in Pennsylvania.

At the hearings, prosecutors must show that they have probable cause to bring the case to trial. Prosecutors in this case were expected to meet that relatively low bar, in part because the case been through a grand jury.

Sandusky has denied the allegations, which led to the departures of longtime Penn State football coach Joe Paterno and the university president. He is charged with more than 50 counts that accuse him of sexually abusing 10 boys over the span of 12 years.



Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2011/12/12/3315704/lawyer-no-plea-talks-on-eve-of.html#ixzz1gQYaOKuL

[trumad]

1. He'll plea bargain...

[Brickbat]

2. "Fight for four quarters"?

STFU, perv.

[shanti]

7. i know

that caught me too. trying to make this a football thing for his "fans"? throw the book at this chester!

[freshwest]

9. Perhaps a football fan dog whistle. Jury selection will be nearly impossible.

I don't expect much to come of this for that reason. Too much publicity, protests, too many powerful people involved. Bush defense lawyers on the team. Wonder what precedents will be set from the trial...

[StarlightGold]

3. What a

sick, cowardly fuck.

[hang a left]

5. I don't think his actions were done to spare his victims.

This was a legal maneuver to protect that scumbag from the headlines that would follow the testimonies.

[shanti]

8. Do you really think he's doing it for the boys?

Really?

[HangOnKids]

11. If you read this carefully Bunny there is nothing noble here

San-dick-squad is covering his ass and does not want any victims to talk at his hearing. The ugly and traumatic would be the voices of children raped by San-dick-squad. Please gain some perspective here Bunny.

[Psephos]

12. This was a press manipulation by Sandusky's attorney.

Preliminary hearings are not hearings to establish guilt beyond a reasonable doubt - that's what the full trial is for. They are "probable cause" hearings, to ensure that there is enough evidence to refer the case to a trial court. In some states (Pennsylvania is one), the preliminary hearing can be used by a defendant to cause a judge to review the grand jury's work, and check that there are no irregularities. Usually, the defendant waives the preliminary hearing, because the Grand Jury indictment has already made the preliminary hearing standard of "probable cause" a fait accompli, and the chance of irregularities is very low. So, in low-profile cases, the defendant usually concludes that the large attorney expense of a preliminary hearing holds little hope of return, while in high-profile cases, the defendant usually doesn't want to attract lots of media coverage about how the defendant was found "guilty" in the preliminary hearing.

In this case, Sandusky's attorney called for the preliminary hearing, which means the prosecution had to bring all the witnesses in and have them ready to testify. Media was there in force, salivating at the spectacle about to unfold. Sandusky's attorney then cancelled at literally the last minute, and walked outside the courtroom. Reporters naturally followed him as if he were the Pied Piper, given that by his own actions he had just become the only story they would get. This gave him great control of the narrative as he worked his way through a carefully honed spin session with the captive reporters.

So, the witnesses were put through stressful circumstances for naught, by a manipulator who used their discomfiture for his client's gain. Imagine what was going through some of those kids' heads, who fully expected they would have to tell their stories.

These are evil people, who think nothing of adding to the psychological burdens these kids already bear.

[SoapBox]

10. I just wanted to kick his attorney's ASS to the moon...

Saw that jerk-wad on MSNBC this morning...good luck with your PERV client.