Judge Charges Jury
By: Mallory Lane
Updated: June 22, 2012
BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY - Courtroom One in the Centre County Courthouse was packed Thursday to hear the Judge's charge and closing arguments in hopes of hearing the verdict. Many family and friends of Sandusky were present, including Sandusky's wife Dottie.
Judge John Cleland gave his instructions to seven women and five men who will decide the former Penn State Defensive coach's fate. Juror alternates include two additional women and one man.
Senior Judge John Cleland said no person could enter or leave during the Judge's charge and during closing arguments by both the Defense and Prosecution.
A list of each accuser with each crime alleged against Sandusky will be given to each juror. Each juror must answer questions in writing on the charges against Sandusky and a verdict slip, before the Jury returns for the verdict.
Cleland said there are two principles that the Jury must be aware of as their role as jurors. "A verdict must arise from your own conscientious view of the facts, because we all rely on your good judgement," said Cleland. The Judge reminded the Jury that it is the Prosecution's job to prove that Sandusky is guilty, while the Defense doesn't need to prove Sandusky's innocence, under State Law.
A 20-minute recess has been taken. After the break, Joe Amendola, Sandusky's Attorney, will give his closing, which could take an hour and then the Prosecution will give its closing, perhaps for the same time frame.
"The issue is not what the child felt, but what the Defendant intended," said Cleland. The Jury must, "decide whether [Sandusky] engaged in the crimes alleged and whether he did that with intent."
Cleland also reminded that jurors weigh the credibility of a witness. Was the witness able to see, hear or know the things they testified to? Could they remember? How did the witness look and were they convincing? These among other questions were hypothetically asked of the Jury.
Cleland said that Sandusky faces 48 counts that include child sexual abuse. Sandusky is accused of assaulting 10 boys over a 15-year period. Cleland defined the charges against Sandusky such as involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, unlawful contact of a minor, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child among other charges. Such accusations include attempted indecent assault and indecent contact.
Cleland mentioned that the expert witness testimony seems to be contradictory. He said that the Jury will need to determine which opinion is more real. Cleland said that Sandusky's possible Histrionic Personality Disorder should not be the single reason to convict, aquit or allow Sandusky to remain innocent.
Sources say the Judge hopes the Jury can reach a decision sometime Thursday or perhaps, into early Friday morning. Sources said that Cleland would prefer that Jury deliberations not go into the weekend.
Four charges related to Accuser #8 will stand and the Jury will need to decide on those charges. Sandusky's Defense wanted the charges dropped because according to Attorneys, the Prosecution did not prove that abuse happened on specific dates.
Judge John Cleland gave his instructions to seven women and five men who will decide the former Penn State Defensive coach's fate. Juror alternates include two additional women and one man.
Senior Judge John Cleland said no person could enter or leave during the Judge's charge and during closing arguments by both the Defense and Prosecution.
A list of each accuser with each crime alleged against Sandusky will be given to each juror. Each juror must answer questions in writing on the charges against Sandusky and a verdict slip, before the Jury returns for the verdict.
Cleland said there are two principles that the Jury must be aware of as their role as jurors. "A verdict must arise from your own conscientious view of the facts, because we all rely on your good judgement," said Cleland. The Judge reminded the Jury that it is the Prosecution's job to prove that Sandusky is guilty, while the Defense doesn't need to prove Sandusky's innocence, under State Law.
A 20-minute recess has been taken. After the break, Joe Amendola, Sandusky's Attorney, will give his closing, which could take an hour and then the Prosecution will give its closing, perhaps for the same time frame.
"The issue is not what the child felt, but what the Defendant intended," said Cleland. The Jury must, "decide whether [Sandusky] engaged in the crimes alleged and whether he did that with intent."
Cleland also reminded that jurors weigh the credibility of a witness. Was the witness able to see, hear or know the things they testified to? Could they remember? How did the witness look and were they convincing? These among other questions were hypothetically asked of the Jury.
Cleland said that Sandusky faces 48 counts that include child sexual abuse. Sandusky is accused of assaulting 10 boys over a 15-year period. Cleland defined the charges against Sandusky such as involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault, unlawful contact of a minor, corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of a child among other charges. Such accusations include attempted indecent assault and indecent contact.
Cleland mentioned that the expert witness testimony seems to be contradictory. He said that the Jury will need to determine which opinion is more real. Cleland said that Sandusky's possible Histrionic Personality Disorder should not be the single reason to convict, aquit or allow Sandusky to remain innocent.
Sources say the Judge hopes the Jury can reach a decision sometime Thursday or perhaps, into early Friday morning. Sources said that Cleland would prefer that Jury deliberations not go into the weekend.
Four charges related to Accuser #8 will stand and the Jury will need to decide on those charges. Sandusky's Defense wanted the charges dropped because according to Attorneys, the Prosecution did not prove that abuse happened on specific dates.
