# Jerry Sandusky's Jury **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 7, 2012, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379 "2012-06-07T13:42:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/41 "2012-06-11T02:52:10Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > It doesn’t have to be a “secret trial” to keep the identities of the abused out of the public eye. If they wanted to go to the trouble, it would be easy for the judge, lawyers, and defendant to know the identity of the current victim, and have them testify from behind a screen or something. I absolutely don’t think it’s necessary for them to be known to the general public. The alleged victims did not ask to be behind a screen or anything like that; just that their names not be given in court. They were willing to appear in court and be confronted by the defendant. But with their names revealed in court (and the media!), 5 of the 8 scheduled witnesses are reconsidering their willingness to testify. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/42 "2012-06-11T03:19:17Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > The alleged victims did not ask to be behind a screen or anything like that; just that their names not be given in court. They were willing to appear in court and be confronted by the defendant. > > But with their names revealed in court (and the media!), 5 of the 8 scheduled witnesses are reconsidering their willingness to testify. Does it count as “confronting one’s accusers” in any meaningful sense if they’re testifying anonymously, the court isn’t keeping track, and almost nobody who they are? People often talk about testifying in “open court,” and this doesn’t sound like an open court to me. This sounds like a proposal born out of sympathy but very easily abused. I’m reading that there are exceptions to public trials when it would hurt the _defense_, but there’s no such right for the prosecution. However sympathetic we may be to abuse victims, there’s a reason for that. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/43 "2012-06-11T14:29:30Z")
There is precident for anonymous testimony. Young women were recently allowed to testify anonymously against [Girls Gone Wild](http://www.newsherald.com/articles/gone-91440-panama-plaintiffs.html)for secretly recording them. The press was allowed to pring their names, but most media outlets have policies against printing the names of victims of crimes of a sexual nature. Something else that’s strange in the Sandusky case is that he and his lawyers didn’t even object to the anonymity of the accusers. The judge is essentially doing the defense’s job for them. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/44 "2012-06-11T14:41:30Z")
> [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](#): > > There is precident for anonymous testimony. Young women were recently allowed to testify anonymously against [Girls Gone Wild](http://www.newsherald.com/articles/gone-91440-panama-plaintiffs.html)for secretly recording them. Is precedent from a civil lawsuit relevant to a criminal prosecution? ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/45 "2012-06-11T15:31:57Z")
“Annual enrollment at the University Park campus totals more than 44,000 graduate and undergraduate students, making it one of the largest universities in the United States” > **[Pennsylvania State University](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pennsylvania_State_University)** > > The Pennsylvania State University (Penn State or PSU) is a public state-related land-grant research university with campuses and facilities throughout Pennsylvania. Founded in 1855 as the Farmers' High School of Pennsylvania, Penn State became the state's only land-grant university in 1863. Its instructional mission includes undergraduate, graduate, professional, and continuing education offered through resident instruction and online delivery. Its primary campus is in University Park, wh In ad... "As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and just over 92,000 lived in the borough plus the surrounding townships often referred to locally as the “Centre Region” > **[State College, Pennsylvania](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/State_College,_Pennsylvania)** > > State College is a home rule municipality in Centre County, Pennsylvania, United States. It is a college town, dominated economically, culturally, and demographically by the presence of the University Park campus of Penn State University. > State College is the largest designated borough in Pennsylvania. It is the principal borough of the six municipalities that make up the State College area, the largest settlement in Centre County and one of the principal cities of the greater State College-D... If you counted faculty and administration, half of everybody that lives in that area goes to school or works at Penn State. And I’d hazzard to guess over 90% of the residents have friends or family who go to school or work at Penn State. Frankly, it would be a statistical improbability had there NOT been jury members with ties to PSU. Having 8/12 with ties sounds about right and was to be expected by both sides, absent some major jury purging. ---
**Author:** ![Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a183cd/32.png) [@Barkis\_is\_Willin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Barkis_is_Willin)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/46 "2012-06-11T17:05:44Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Is precedent from a civil lawsuit relevant to a criminal prosecution? Good question. I do not know. The only criminal cases I’ve found that involved anonymous testimony was for undercover police or witnesses who had good reason to fear for their safety (i.e. testifying against the mob). ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/47 "2012-06-11T17:18:42Z")
Right, that’s the only exception I’m aware of. And honestly, that’s a more sensible exception. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2012, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/48 "2012-06-11T17:25:49Z")
We just had a trial end without the witness being publically identified. The case of the Rutgers’ student who filmed his gay roommate having sex with another man on a webcam, leading to the roommate’s suicide, ended with the witness identified only as MB. In the [Slate.com](http://Slate.com) article I read last week talking about this specific trial, they also mentioned that it was weird the judge in the Penn State case didn’t make the witnesses names secret As things stand now, it looks very much like the defense is going to use the jurors’ feelings for Penn St. and Paterno as a factor in trying to acquit their client ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/49 "2012-06-12T02:23:01Z")
> [@gms453](#): > > The costs of all trials in all PA courts are kept by the county clerks of court. They are public records and are available for inspection by anyone at no cost on demand. Exactly what about this changes the leverage? > [@gms453](#): > > \The PA AG and all county DA’s are elected officials. The decision whether to prosecute or not (originally or after a mistrial) is in their sole discretion. Setting change: Overbroook Golf Club, Hole 9. _Doink-doink_ > [@gms453](#): > > Pennsylvania is not a state, it is a commonwealth. I don’t care if it sells 6-packs & Turkey Hill Icecream at fancy French restaurants… ---
**Author:** ![SecretaryofEvil](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e95f7d/32.png) [@SecretaryofEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SecretaryofEvil)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/50 "2012-06-12T03:19:21Z")
I’m not really buying your golf conspiracy theory Count Blucher. If there was some sort of pressure, wouldn’t the pressure be to get a conviction because of all the publicity about the case? I find it a little far fetched that some Penn State football fanatic is going to sneak onto the jury sleeper cell style and let a child molester go free solely for the purposes of making the spirit of Joe’Pa smile down benevolently from football Vahalla. Then again maybe I’m wrong. Some people take their spectator sports very seriously. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/51 "2012-06-12T18:31:47Z")
I’m not sure if anybody’s interested in a running thread about the trial - and I don’t know if I want to keep reading this stuff - but if anybody’s curious, [they’re in the second day of testimony now](http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/8041466/jerry-sandusky-trial-penn-state-nittany-lions-assistant-coach-mike-mcqueary-testifies). Two of the accusers have testified to this point, and so have Mike McQueary and a social worker who took a report about one of those two boys being accused. As far as I know, the defense has not made reference to St. Joe in an attempt to bias the jury. They’ve said the accusers are looking for a big payday in the form of a lawsuit. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 7:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/52 "2012-06-12T19:23:09Z")
I read that the testimony of one of the witnesses yesterday was particularly damning. ---
**Author:** ![ballardfam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8797f3/32.png) [@ballardfam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ballardfam)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/53 "2012-06-12T20:30:45Z")
Well, if I’m going to go with my gut I think it’s possible that the defense is setting up for appeals. Not based on the trial being in College State but, because, due to the multiple connections between Penn State, Second Mile, the town & mere normal intertwining of individual lives to one another in a relatively small venue, there’s a fair chance that information about a juror or other significant player at a later date or even during the trial could give at least the suggestion of foul play, undue influence, etc. This is probably my naturally paranoid self but it’s the first thing I thought of when I heard the defense wanted State College. I think it’s at least as likely as the defense thinking the trial setting would preference sandusky. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/54 "2012-06-12T22:42:34Z")
> [@ballardfam](#): > > Well, if I’m going to go with my gut I think it’s possible that the defense is setting up for appeals. Not based on the trial being in College State but, because, due to the multiple connections between Penn State, Second Mile, the town & mere normal intertwining of individual lives to one another in a relatively small venue, there’s a fair chance that information about a juror or other significant player at a later date or even during the trial could give at least the suggestion of foul play, undue influence, etc. This is probably my naturally paranoid self but it’s the first thing I thought of when I heard the defense wanted State College. I think it’s at least as likely as the defense thinking the trial setting would preference sandusky. I don’t think you’re being that paranoid. This is the kind of case that will go through appeal after appeal until Sandusky is six feet under. I’ve heard some rumblings that the Sandusky case may wind up haunting our esteemed governor, who had the opportunity to do something about it when he was the attorney general, but for reasons known only to himself, did not. This may well wind up affecting his re-election in 2014. People have long memories when it comes to Penn State, and they’re not going to let this one go. Until then, I’ve heard something about an investigation into Corbett’s actions, but at this point, it’s a rumor. ---
**Author:** ![gms453](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/50afbb/32.png) [@gms453](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gms453)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/55 "2012-06-12T23:00:13Z")
> [@ballardfam](#): > > Well, if I’m going to go with my gut I think it’s possible that the defense is setting up for appeals. Not based on the trial being in College State but, because, due to the multiple connections between Penn State, Second Mile, the town & mere normal intertwining of individual lives to one another in a relatively small venue, there’s a fair chance that information about a juror or other significant player at a later date or even during the trial could give at least the suggestion of foul play, undue influence, etc. This is probably my naturally paranoid self but it’s the first thing I thought of when I heard the defense wanted State College. I think it’s at least as likely as the defense thinking the trial setting would preference sandusky. Convictions appealed to the PA Superior Court take a year or more to be decided and most are denied. Appeals to the PA Supreme Court usually take even longer. If the deft. in this case is convicted, the judge will almost certainly revoke his bail. This will result in the deft.'s incarcaration throughout the appeal process. Even if the appeal is successful, the case will almost certainly not be over for deft.; he will simply be re-tried. ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 12, 2012, 11:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/56 "2012-06-12T23:05:34Z")
Apparently, George Schultz (former VP of Penn State) was keeping a list of the allegations against Sandusky. Schultz and (former President of Penn State) Graham Spanier had an email conversation about teh shower incident where they decided not to report it to the authorities because they felt it would be more humane towards Sandusky not to. If all this is true, then I think they just doomed their college. [http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083\_162-57451567-504083/penn-state-officials-kept-secret-file-on-sandusky-allegations-says-attorney-general/](http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504083_162-57451567-504083/penn-state-officials-kept-secret-file-on-sandusky-allegations-says-attorney-general/) ---
**Author:** ![Darryl\_Lict](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7cd45c/32.png) [@Darryl\_Lict](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darryl_Lict)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/57 "2012-06-13T00:13:42Z")
> [@Merneith](#): > > Apparently, George Schultz (former VP of Penn State) was keeping a list of the allegations against Sandusky. Nitpick, that’s Gary Schultz, not George who was Secretary of State under Reagan. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/58 "2012-06-13T00:23:20Z")
> [@MsRobyn](#): > > I don’t think you’re being that paranoid. This is the kind of case that will go through appeal after appeal until Sandusky is six feet under. Let’s hope this is a brief appeals process, then. (If he is found guilty. I’m jumping the gun, here!) CNN just reported that some jurors were weeping during some testimony. That can’t be good for this perv. Can someone with a legal mind tell me if a single “not guilty” vote will let this guy slide? ---
**Author:** ![Merneith](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/57b2e6/32.png) [@Merneith](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Merneith)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/59 "2012-06-13T00:53:24Z")
> [@Darryl\_Lict](#): > > Nitpick, that’s Gary Schultz, not George who was Secretary of State under Reagan. Sorry - I even doubled checked that his name wasn’t George. Then I had to double check that Spanier’s name wasn’t George, either. Then I guess my subconscious decided that, gorramit, one of these schmucks is named George, and that’s final. ---
**Author:** ![MsRobyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/90ced4/32.png) [@MsRobyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsRobyn)\ **Post date:** [June 13, 2012, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379/60 "2012-06-13T01:16:50Z")
> [@Gatopescado](#): > > Let’s hope this is a brief appeals process, then. (If he is found guilty. I’m jumping the gun, here!) > > CNN just reported that some jurors were weeping during some testimony. That can’t be good for this perv. > > Can someone with a legal mind tell me if a single “not guilty” vote will let this guy slide? If the jury deadlocks, then it’s a hung jury and the DA has the discretion to try the case again. Otherwise, it has to be unanimous in favor of acquittal or conviction. But, unfortunately, gms453 is correct. The appeals process is very long and drawn out, and if it comes to that, it’s likely that Sandusky will spend most of the rest of his life in prison. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/jerry-sanduskys-jury/624379.md?page=4)