HARRISBURG, Pa. — The June child sex-abuse trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will not be delayed, a judge ruled Monday.
The one-sentence order by Judge John Cleland did not explain his reasons, but it means the case will very likely begin with jury selection inside a central Pennsylvania courthouse in barely two weeks.
Sandusky lawyer Joe Amendola had asked for the delay on May 9, arguing that he needed more time to find and interview witnesses, and that pending criminal charges against two Penn State administrators made them unavailable as witnesses.
He said without the delay, he was concerned he would not be able to represent Sandusky effectively and adequately.
Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he has repeatedly denied. Jury selection is scheduled to begin June 5, with jurors chosen from the State College area, where Sandusky lives.
Cleland also issued a second order that requires defense lawyers to provide prosecutors any expert reports they plan to use as part of their case by May 30.
The attorney general’s office also will get copies of any reports of physical or mental examinations and scientific testing results by May 30. If the defense has experts they plan to call to testify that have not prepared a report, the defense lawyers must tell prosecutors the expert’s subject matter, his or her opinion and the basis for that opinion, Cleland said.
Sandusky lawyer Karl Rominger declined to comment on the two orders, citing a gag order Cleland has imposed. A spokesman for the attorney general’s office also declined to comment.
Gary Schultz, a retired Penn State vice president for business and finance, and Tim Curley, the university’s athletic director now on leave, are accused of perjury and failing to properly report suspected child abuse. Both men deny the allegations and are seeking to have them thrown out.
Their lawyers have informed Amendola that they will invoke their right against self-incrimination and refuse to testify if subpoenaed as witnesses in Sandusky’s case.
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