| Second accuser tearfully details Sandusky abuse | | Posted: Tuesday, June 12, 2012 10:00 pm
| By MARK SCOLFORO
and GENARO C. ARMAS
Associated Press
BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — The teenager whose report of sexual abuse spawned a grand jury investigation into Jerry Sandusky has told jurors that a guidance counselor didn’t initially believe him because the former Penn State assistant football coach has a “heart of gold.”
The teen, labeled Victim No. 1 by prosecutors, is now 18 years old. He testified today at Sandusky’s trial.
He choked back tears as he spoke of abuse that allegedly included Sandusky fondling him, kissing him and ultimately engaging in oral sex with him. The teen says the instances of abuse happened in Sandusky’s basement while his wife, Dottie, stayed upstairs.
During cross-examination, defense attorney Joe Amendola questioned whether the teen had financial motives for bringing his accusations, which the teen denied.
The teen says he is there to testify truthfully.
The earliest of Sandusky’s alleged victims testified on the trial’s opening day Monday, telling jurors the former assistant to longtime Penn State coach Joe Paterno sent him “creepy love letters” and made him sign contracts that would pay him money for spending time together.
The man identified in court documents as Victim 4 testified that he began showering with Sandusky in 1997 and what started out as “soap battles” quickly escalated to sexual contact, including oral sex.
The alleged victim also testified about gifts, trips and access to the Penn State football team he received to buy his silence.
Sandusky faces 52 criminal counts related to the alleged assaults of 10 boys during a 15-year period. Authorities alleged Sandusky abused boys at his home and inside the football team’s on-campus facilities among other places. Published in The Messenger 6.12.12 | | | | |
