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Jerry Sandusky Sentenced to 30-60 years for child sex abuse; Claims Complete Innocence
 
  by: iradioal - Philadelphia, PA
started: 10/09/12 4:31 pm | updated: 10/09/12 4:31 pm
 
Jerry Sandusky's sentencing hearing was held today, four months after he was convicted on 45 counts of sexual abuse. The entire case rocked the Penn State community leading to the arrests of former athletic director Tim Curley and retired vice president Gary Schulz, the firing of longtime head coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier. The NCAA levied sanctions against the football program including a $60 million fine and a four year post season ban. Of course, there are the child victims of Sandusky, 10 of which came forward as part of the trial, whose lives were devastated at the hands of the man.

The hearing today started with a “Megan's Law” hearing that determined that Sandusky would be designated a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania Law. For the sentencing segment, three victims appeared to give their impact statement, while two more were read. Jerry Sandusky took the opportunity to speak on his own behalf, unapologetic and steadfast in his innocence. He spoke from jail last night to Penn State's student radio station, echoing the same sentiments. Jerry Sandusky Speaks out from Jail

Common Pleas Court Judge John M. Cleland sentenced Sandusky to 30-60 years behind bars, effectively putting the 68-year-old in prison for the rest of his life. He is also ordered to pay prosecution fees and $1,706 in restitution to the state victims compensation fund. He'll be 99 before he's eligible for parole. He'll now go to Camp Hill to be assessed and classified before being sent to a more permanent state prison.

Sandusky's Sentencing Hearing Statement:

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to speak today. I feel the need to talk, not from arrogance, from my heart … I’m filled with emotion, filled with determination. I didn’t do these alleged disgusting acts. I speak today with hope in my heart for a brighter day, not knowing when that day will come … This was the worst loss of my life. Please don’t close the book today, at sentencing. There’s a lot left to learn … As I began to relive everything, I remembered my feelings … Many moments have been spent looking for a purpose, maybe it will help others. Some vulnerable children who might be abused might not be as a result of all the publicity. I’m not sure … I would cherish the opportunity to be a candle for others as they have been a huge light for me … Somehow, someway something good will come out of this. The pain continues when I think about those who made the allegations. These are people I cared about, still do … Life has become more difficult for us. For the most part, I’ve been confined to a small room. I meditate, read, write, eat, exercise all in that same room … There’s a young man, a Second Mile participant who’s there with me … [celebrated his 46th wedding anniversary in prison] I told Dottie that day we’re definitely in the fourth quarter. When I was coaching, you definitely find out who’s with you in the fourth quarter … She and others are standing strong. I like to believe that they know me the most. I like to believe that they know me not for how I’ve been betrayed by so many … Those who still believe in us are the ones who matter … I think about not being there … not being there to see our grandchildren mature, not being there to see my dog … When I look at those walls again, I see the light … I see me throwing thousands of kids up in the air, hundreds of water balloon battles, happy times … And my heart warms. It gets warmer when I read special cards and letters and I’m going to read one … ‘All of this impacted me. There isn’t a day I don’t think of you and your family … I remember staying at your home and how good it was … There are no words I could ever say to tell you thank you but I thank you so much for all that you’ve ever done … please be strong and don’t give up.’ … Others can take my life, they can make me a monster, they can treat me as a monster but they can’t take away my heart. In my heart I know I did not do these disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner and that was after marriage … This experience helps you realize how temporary life is and we are just briefly passing through… [talked about random stuff] Seabiscuit, a favorite of mine because I love people who won’t quit … Today is a difficult day. I’m being labeled and sentenced. In preparation, I’ve read many books especially about people who endure in their strength, harshness and prosecution … They were about the worst of life, the best of life … Life goes on, no matter where that may be. I’ve been blessed. I’ve been to the mountain top. I’ve seen the valley of the shadow of death. I’ve been in the locker room, hugging crying as national champs. I’ve been in the locker room after a devastating loss … I’ve been loved, I’ve been hated … I’ve lived long enough to cherish many memories … We’re going to smile, as I’ve always smiled through the pain. And we’re going to laugh, and we’re going to cry because that’s who we are. To my loved ones I want to say the most difficult part of this is the pain of separation. Some of the labeling and the treatment hurts but they don’t compare to their absence. It would be unbearable without some contact, without the love and pride I share with you [breaks down] … It would be unmanageable without God’s light. Without God’s hope and love”
 
 
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