How the Jerry Sandusky scandal rocked US sport and left parents concerned for their children
Former US college football coach Jerry Sandusky has been found guilty of 45 out of 48 counts of child sex abuse.
Sandusky, 68, denied 48 counts of abusing 10 boys over 15
years. He is expected to appeal but could spend the rest of his life in
prison.The jury reached its verdict at the end of its second day of deliberations.
His arrest in November caused a scandal at Penn State University, Pennsylvania, that saw the president and legendary football coach Joe Paterno both fired.
The jury found the former coach not guilty of involuntary deviate sexual intercourse with Victim 2 and indecent assault of Victims 5 and 6.
After the verdict, Sandusky's bail was revoked and he was taken into custody in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania.
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Shortly before the judge took his seat at the head of the court, a young man in a striped polo shirt filed into the courtroom, surrounded by female family members. They sat quietly in their appointed bench while the judge dispensed with the pre-verdict formalities.
When the jury foreman said "guilty" on the first count, the woman to the right of the victim wept on his shoulder. But by count five, her head was once again straight, the entire group sitting stoically.
After court was adjourned, journalists raced out of the room to file the story, and lawyers and supporters of the case milled about, discussing the verdict. But the victim and his family stayed seated, arms around one another, heads bowed.
'Horrific acts'
At the scene
As the courtroom grew more crowded on Friday night in anticipation of a possible verdict, one bench in the centre of the gallery stayed open - vigilantly guarded by a broad-shouldered plainclothes policeman. That bench, it became clear, was reserved for one of the victims who had testified against Sandusky.Shortly before the judge took his seat at the head of the court, a young man in a striped polo shirt filed into the courtroom, surrounded by female family members. They sat quietly in their appointed bench while the judge dispensed with the pre-verdict formalities.
When the jury foreman said "guilty" on the first count, the woman to the right of the victim wept on his shoulder. But by count five, her head was once again straight, the entire group sitting stoically.
After court was adjourned, journalists raced out of the room to file the story, and lawyers and supporters of the case milled about, discussing the verdict. But the victim and his family stayed seated, arms around one another, heads bowed.
After the verdict, defence lawyer Joe
Amendola told reporters the family was "very disappointed" with the
verdict, although it was "expected".
He suggested that Sandusky would appeal against the verdict
and acknowledged that his client would be likely to face a life
sentence.Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly called Sandusky a "serial predator" who committed "horrific acts".
Ms Kelly said that she hoped the verdict "allows these victims to heal" and would also encourage other victims to come forward.
Meanwhile, Penn State said in a statement: "We have tremendous respect for the men who came forward to tell their stories publicly.
"No verdict can undo the pain and suffering caused by Mr Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing."
The BBC's Kate Dailey, who was in the courtroom in Bellefonte, said Sandusky gave a small wave to his family as he was led away.
Outside the courthouse a large crowd cheered as news of the verdict emerged, our correspondent adds.
The decision, delivered by a jury of seven women and five men, came after about 21 hours of deliberations over two days.
CULLED FROM BBC
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