Sandusky witness describes abuse, ‘creepy’ letters

During his opening statement, McGettigan told jurors he would prove that the abuse included oral and anal sex involving boys Sandusky met through the Second Mile and that it took place “not over days, not over weeks, not even over months, but in some cases over years.”

McGettigan called the Second Mile, which Sandusky established in 1977, the “perfect environment for the predatory pedophile” and his way to get close to his victims.

Amendola said the young men who would take the stand were accusers, not victims. He said jurors may find it odd that Sandusky showered with children, but that it was innocuous, and part of Sandusky’s upbringing.

“In Jerry’s culture, growing up in his generation, where he grew up, he’s going to tell you it was routine for individuals to get showers together,” Amendola said. “I suspect for those of you who might have been in athletics, it’s routine.”

Amendola said the defense will argue that Mike McQueary, the football team assistant who reported seeing Sandusky naked in a shower in 2001, was mistaken about what he saw.

“We don’t think Michael McQueary lied,” Amendola told jurors. “Are you surprised? We don’t think that he lied. What we think is that he saw something and made assumptions.”

Amendola also told jurors that at least six of the alleged victims have civil lawyers, including several in the courtroom gallery on Monday.

”These young men had a financial interest in this case and pursuing this case,” Amendola said.

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