Jerry Sandusky’s Victims Will Never Recover

Posted on October 11, 2012

Former Penn State football coach and pedophile Jerry Sandusky will spend the rest of his life in prison, while his victims will spend the rest of their lives trying to forget their sexual abuse.

Sandusky was ordered to spend at least 30 years in prison on Tuesday for sexually abusing at-risk boys for more than a decade, a sentence likely to keep him behind bars until he dies.

Penn State Nittany Lions head coach Joe Paterno on the sideline during warmups prior to the 2006 Homecoming game versus the University of Illinois on Friday, October 20, 2006. Taken by me. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Sandusky stood motionless in a red prison jumpsuit, his back to the audience and his wife, Dottie, while Judge John Cleland handed down the 30- to 60-year sentence for crimes that stunned the public, a major university and the world of college sports.

The one-time coach, who has been in solitary confinement, will be at least 98 years old before he is eligible for parole. He will be transferred to the Camp Hill State Correctional Institution for evaluation to determine which of the 25 state prisons will house him.

Several men who testified at trial about their abuse returned to speak at the sentencing.

As they spoke, Sandusky sat back in his chair and stared at them, as he did at trial. His wife chewed gum as she watched.

Afterward, defense attorney Joseph Amendola said Dottie Sandusky was “devastated” by the sentence.

Sandusky’s defense attorneys said they were preparing an appeal of his conviction and contend they were not given enough time to prepare for the high-profile case.

Amendola said he believes Sandusky was railroaded. He blamed tensions among Penn State faculty, trustees and the athletic department as well as a conspiracy by victims looking for money.

The decision to cast a blind eye toward Sandusky has led to harsh consequences for Penn State. Its football program has been penalized; school officials face criminal charges; and the legacy of Joe Paterno, once a towering figure in college sports, has been deeply tarnished.

Paterno and Penn State president Graham Spanier were fired last year for failing to act on what they knew about Sandusky’s behavior. Paterno died in January of lung cancer at age 85.

An investigation commissioned by Penn State trustees said university leaders knew about and covered up Sandusky’s sexual abuse of children in order to protect the football program.

Penn State President Rodney Erickson released a statement saying he hoped the sentence would “provide comfort to those affected by these horrible events.”

The scandal shined a light on the devastating issue of child sexual abuse and raised pointed questions about the motivation of people who knew about Sandusky’s behavior but failed for years to report a top coach vital to building Penn State’s successful and lucrative football program.

If a loved one was the victim of sexual abuse that was caused by negligence or some other form of reckless behavior, it is important that you contact a committed and dedicated personal injury lawyer to help you decide if you should file a lawsuit. A competent and reputable injury lawyer can help you receive the compensation you deserve for your pain and suffering.