US News
Judge grants Sept. 8 evidentiary hearing after witness recants allegations against Jerry Sandusky
Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky will have a court hearing after a key witness stated his abuse allegations were influenced by memory manipulation and coaching.
The short version
- A Pennsylvania judge has scheduled a Sept. 8 evidentiary hearing in Centre County to evaluate a recantation from an accuser known in court records as R.R.
- R.R. submitted an affidavit stating he was coached extensively by investigators and led to believe fragmented memories could be filled in.
- The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office called the recantation highly suspect and argued the post-conviction petition is untimely, while asking to keep the hearing focused strictly on R.R.'s testimony.
- The hearing will determine whether the recantation merits further relief for Sandusky, who is serving a 30-to-60-year sentence following his 2012 conviction on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.
Key facts
- A Centre County court scheduled an evidentiary hearing for Sept. 8 regarding Jerry Sandusky's petition for post-conviction relief.[Associated Press · The Guardian · Fox News]
- An accuser identified in court records as R.R. stated in an affidavit that authorities used suggestive questioning and told him trauma may have fragmented his memory, leading him to affirm details he did not fully recall.[Associated Press · The Guardian · Fox News]
- State prosecutors from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General called the recantation highly suspect and contended that Sandusky's petition is untimely.[Associated Press · The Guardian]
- Jerry Sandusky, 82, was convicted in 2012 on 45 counts of child sexual abuse and sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.[Associated Press · The Guardian · Fox News]
- Prosecutors filed a motion arguing that an affidavit from R.R.'s estranged wife is irrelevant and asking the court to restrict the hearing's scope solely to R.R.'s recantation.[Fox News]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unknown whether Sandusky will be present in court for the Sept. 8 hearing.[Associated Press]
- The judge has not yet ruled on prosecution motions seeking to bar testimony from R.R.'s estranged wife and limit the scope of the hearing.[Fox News]