BUFFONE: Sandusky Watching Children at Recess?
by John Buffone
Now that the Penn State Football season is over and things are settling down after former coach Joe Paterno’s death, it’s time to direct focus back on the source of this whole mess, Jerry Sandusky. As if things weren’t demented enough, prosecutors are now asking that Sandusky’s bail be completely relegated to the confines of his home unless he’s seeking medical treatment. The reasoning behind this? There have been complaints from a local school that the former assistant coach at PSU was watching children play at a playground during recess from the back porch of his home. Neighbors have claimed they have seen Sandusky walking his dog on his back porch during times which children at the close-by school are playing at recess. My issue with this situation is not the terms that the prosecution is suggesting but the fact that it could be a long time before Sandusky is tried and potentially sentenced. There have been reports that an actual trial might not take place until the fall and with an almost guaranteed appeal upon a guilty verdict, Sandusky, age 68, could drag this thing out until his dying days. My question is that if the prosecution, school officials and neighbors are so irked about Sandusky’s potential current behavior, why was he allowed to roam free outside of his house to begin with? I am not a legal expert nor will I ever claim to be. But if Sandusky is monstrous enough to be denied outdoor privileges, why can’t he be put in the courtroom a little sooner?
Tags: Buffone, Jerry Sandusky, Joe Paterno, penn state, PSU Scandal
BUFFONE - Sports Zone | jbuffone February 9, 2012
By JornJensen, February 9, 2012 @ 7:23 AM
forward – I’m really itching to comment on this one, but I’ll refrain from doing so.
By player24, February 9, 2012 @ 9:59 AM
too late Jorn you already did
By ASDpayer, February 9, 2012 @ 10:17 AM
1- Unlike writing a sports column, preparing a defense takes time. Interviews of witnesses, going over the law, the grand jury testimony, etc.
2-Because of the nature of his crime, he is at risk in prison.
3-He is tethered to an ankle bracelet to verify his whereabouts. He is only allowed to leave the home for medical visits.
4-He will get his day in court, but we don’t rush to trial to get a conviction, and his constitutional right to a fair and speedy trial has been slowed down by his attorneys. Slowed down, but not delayed.
5-I am not saying any of this is good, just how it is.
6-Remember the words in the movie Judge Roy Bean. “First we’re going to give you a fair trial, and then we’re going to hang you.”
By mark, February 9, 2012 @ 10:20 AM
@ Jorn
C`mon!
By sickofpayingforit, February 9, 2012 @ 1:05 PM
I appreciate your effort, author of this article, but I must say that these type of articles are about as bad as the ones who use the doomsday scenario’s everytime they want the taxpayer to pony up for something else. EVERYONE will automatically presume guilt when a woman or a child is the victim and the media has done Sandusky a great disservice during this whole episode. He is an american citizen and as such, innocent until proven guilty. Let’s not forget all of those people who were exonerated after being wrongly imprisoned once DNA evidence was allowed to be entered into court. I am not defending the guy at all, but I do feel he has the same rights as every other American citizen and stories like this, ESPN, and every other media outlet use the shell shocking headlines draw readers. Let’s let this guy have his day in court until we start cutting the wood for the gallows.
I still find it hard to believe that this could be going on for that long at a public place like PSU. There are way too many people that would have caught wind of it for them all to stay silent for this long.
We will see I guess.
By north end guy, February 9, 2012 @ 3:41 PM
sickof paying forit, First of all the creep is guilty. Second of all the person is aloud to look at anything from his deck.He will be found guilty and get to find out why they call the pokie the pokie. And just what are you sick of paying for?
By north end guy, February 9, 2012 @ 3:42 PM
He will find out why the pokie is called the pokie!!If you know what I mean.Ha Ha
By JornJensen, March 4, 2012 @ 9:44 AM
John Buffone – I just received my March/April issue of The Penn Stater magazine from the Alumni Association. The entire issue is dedicated to Joe Paterno. The first time ever, that I have read my alumni magazine, cover to cover, in one sitting. Couldn’t put it down. Learned that JoePa intentionally ran a red light, one time, in State College. You are welcome to borrow it and read it – I do want it back – it is a keeper!