As Jerry Sandusky's sex abuse trial begins, authorities are reviewing emails and documents as they reportedly consider bringing more charges against former Penn State officials for allegedly concealing what they knew about his conduct. NBC's Michael Isikoff reports.
By Msnbc.com staff and wire services
Former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky has arrived at a Pennsylvania courthouse for the start of his child sex-abuse trial.
A jury of seven women and five men are scheduled to hear opening statements in the case, ending months of pretrial wrangling in the high-profile case that led to the firing of legendary late Penn State coach Joe Paterno.
The few members of the public who will be allowed in the courtroom had been lining up since around 5:30 a.m., PennLive.com reported.
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"This is the biggest news to ever hit Centre County," Bill Rishel, of Bellefonte, who was among those waiting, told PennLive.com.
The courthouse doors are covered, so witness-holding areas can't be seen, according to PennLive.com.
Sandusky arrived at the courthouse around 8 a.m. along with defense attorney Joe Amendola. He smiled briefly for cameras before walking inside.
Many of the alleged victims are expected to testify for the prosecution.
Slade McLaughlin, the attorney for the teen identified in the grand jury report as Victim 1, told The Associated Press he expects his client to testify Monday or Tuesday.
"He's in good spirits, very calm, very relaxed," McLaughlin said.
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The jury's composition reflects the area's strong connection to Penn State. It includes a Penn State senior, a retired professor and a woman who's been a football season ticket holder since the 1970s. The woman’s husband also works for the medical group where the father of a key witness Mike McQueary previously worked.
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Judge John Cleland said the jury would not be sequestered.
Sandusky, 68, is charged with 52 criminal counts alleging he sexually abused 10 boys over a 15-year span. He has denied the allegations.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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