Saturday, June 23, 2012

Guilty on counts related to all victims

  • The ex-coach is guilty on 45 of 48 counts for sexually abusing boys over 15 years
  • Sandusky's attorney says he plans to appeal despite "overwhelming evidence"
  • "Nobody wins. We've all lost," the mother of one of the victims says after the verdict
  • Sandusky has said he is not guilty, admitting to showering with boys but not abusing them

Bellefonte, Pennsylvania (CNN) -- Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his life in jail after a jury convicted him on 45 of 48 counts related to sexual abuse of boys, ending a painful chapter for victims and the entire university.

But the ordeal is not over, as one of Sandusky's attorney announced plans to appeal despite the mountain of convictions against his client.

"If you win on one of the appeal issues, everything probably falls," attorney Joe Amendola said. "So all we have to do is convince an appellate court that one of the issues that we will raise is worthy of a reversal. ... It doesn't matter, it could be 100 counts, and it would still all come back if an appeal is granted."

Jurors delivered the verdict late Friday night after deliberating for 21 hours over two days. They brought convictions related to all 10 sexual abuse victims, with the three not-guilty verdicts applying to three different individuals.

Sandusky stood slightly hunched, looking down with his hand in his pocket but showing no visible emotion as the guilty verdicts were read out in court. His wife, Dottie, blinked back tears.

Judge John Cleland revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest.

As Sandusky left the courthouse in handcuffs, reporters asked if he had anything to say to the victims. The 68-year-old remained silent as he ducked into the back seat of a police car destined for the Centre County jail.

Watch Sandusky be lead out of court
Reporter describes Sandusky's reaction
Witness: Sandusky's face went blank
Sandusky co-counsel pledges appeal

"The Sandusky family is very disappointed by the verdict of the jury, but we respect their verdict," Amendola told reporters gathered outside. Jeering crowds occasionally interrupted his comments.

At the same time, Amendola pointed to a "tidal wave of public opinion" against his client as one of several factors that led him to believe this outcome wasn't surprising.

"It was the expected outcome because of the overwhelming evidence against Jerry Sandusky," he said.

Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly, expressed satisfaction in the jury's decision to hold the ex-coach accountable. She was especially thankful for the victims who testified, in some cases many years after they were abused.

"It was incredibly difficult for some of them to unearth long buried memories of (what) they had suffered," Kelly said. "This trial was not something that they sought, but rather something that forced them to face the demons of their past."

Back inside the courtroom, the young man identified in court documents as Victim 6 was in tears as he hugged prosecutors.

Sandusky should be sentenced in about 90 days, the judge said. Jurors did not speak with the media immediately after the verdict.

The case has gripped the nation since last fall and led to the dismissal of legendary coach Joe Paterno and one of America's highest-paid university president, Graham Spanier.

The family of Paterno, who died in January, issued a statement Friday after the verdict.

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, walks with his wife, Dottie, into the Centre County Courthouse, on Friday, June 22, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The jury later found him guilty on 45 of 48 counts related to sexual abuse of boys over a 15-year period.Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, walks with his wife, Dottie, into the Centre County Courthouse, on Friday, June 22, in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania. The jury later found him guilty on 45 of 48 counts related to sexual abuse of boys over a 15-year period.
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty.Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty.
Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty in his sex abuse trial.Sandusky leaves the Centre County Courthouse in handcuffs after a jury found him guilty in his sex abuse trial.
Sandusky faces the cameras as he is led to a sheriff's vehicle in handcuffs after the reading of the verdict.Sandusky faces the cameras as he is led to a sheriff's vehicle in handcuffs after the reading of the verdict.
A view from above as Sandusky is led fromt he courthouse in handcuffs.A view from above as Sandusky is led fromt he courthouse in handcuffs.
Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is escorted in handuffs to a police car at the Centre County Courthouse under the glare of TV lights.Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is escorted in handuffs to a police car at the Centre County Courthouse under the glare of TV lights.
Sandusky is put into a police car after being convicted in his child sex abuse trial. The jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 counts.Sandusky is put into a police car after being convicted in his child sex abuse trial. The jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 of 48 counts.
Sandusky is put into a police car.Sandusky is put into a police car.
Judge John Cleland revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest immediately after the verdict was read. Sandusky was booked into the Centre County Correctional Facility.Judge John Cleland revoked Sandusky's bail and ordered his arrest immediately after the verdict was read. Sandusky was booked into the Centre County Correctional Facility.
Sandusky convictedSandusky convicted

"Although we understand the task of healing is just beginning, today's verdict is an important milestone," the statement said. "The community owes a measure of gratitude to the jurors for their diligent service. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families."

The university, meanwhile, said it had "tremendous respect for the men who came forward to tell their stories publicly."

"No verdict can undo the pain and suffering caused by Mr. Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing," Penn State said in a statement.

Penn State said it will invite the victims to participate in a program to facilitate resolution.

"The university wants to provide a forum where the university can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims' concerns and compensate them for claims relating to the University."

The Sandusky case has infuriated the Penn State community, students say, not just because of the heinous nature of the crimes but also because the scandal has unfairly defined the university.

"It's a relief. Now we can begin to heal," Penn State senior Karisa Maxwell said of the verdict. "I've never seen Jerry Sandusky. He has no effect on my education. For people to say he's Penn State is disgusting. That's not the case."

After a week of testimony, during which time witnesses graphically described sexual encounters with Sandusky that they said occurred during their boyhoods, jurors made their decision without ever having heard from Sandusky on the witness stand.

During closing arguments, prosecutors described the ex-Nittany Lions defensive coordinator as a pedophile who preyed on victims using a charity he founded for troubled children, repeatedly abusing young boys in his care.

The defense tried to pick apart the testimony of Mike McQueary, a former graduate assistant who testified that he witnessed Sandusky apparently sodomizing a boy in a university shower.

iReport: Share your reaction

In a bombshell announcement Thursday evening, Matt Sandusky -- one of Jerry Sandusky's six adopted children -- said through his attorney that he was sexually abused by the former coach, adding that he had been prepared to testify against him.

Legal analysts say the accusation could bring additional charges, including incest charges, against the former coach.

The broader scandal has also brought charges against vice president Gary Schultz and former Athletic Director Tim Curley for perjury and failing to report the abuse.

What Sandusky has said about child rape allegations

Eight young men testified, often in disturbingly graphic detail, of how Sandusky forced them to engage in sexual acts in various places, including showers in the Penn State coaches' locker room, hotel rooms and the basement of his home.

On Tuesday, Sandusky's wife told jurors that she could remember at least six of her husband's accusers staying overnight at their house, but that she never witnessed sexual abuse.

All you need to know about allegations, how case unraveled

The defense challenged the accusers' timetable, questioned the various allegations and called multiple character witness to defend Sandusky's stellar reputation in the community.

'The Sandusky 8' describe seduction, molestation and betrayal

Though Friday night's verdict prompted cheers outside the courtroom, inside, the mother of Victim 6 did not claim victory.

"Nobody wins. We've all lost," she said before hugging her son.

CNN's Elisa Roupenian, Susan Candiotti, Ross Levitt, Jason Carroll, Dana Garrett, Laura Dolan, Holly Yan and Anderson Cooper and In Session's Michael Christian and Mayra Cuevas contributed to this report.