Sandusky defense seeks to postpone hearing on alleged accuser recantation
Jerry Sandusky’s lawyers asked the court to cancel a September 8 hearing on a claim that an accuser wants to withdraw his testimony, aiming to pursue a new trial.
Attorneys for former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky petitioned the court on Thursday to cancel a September 8 hearing concerning an alleged recantation by accuser R.R. The defense argues that the judge should first hear an appeal against the ruling that limited the case to the recantation issue. Sandusky, 82, has been incarcerated since his 2012 conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse involving multiple former victims.
The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General has described the claimed recantation as “highly suspect.” In its filing, the defense claims R.R. was extensively coached, faced leading questioning, and was influenced by prosecutors, casting doubt on the original testimony. The case stems from abuse allegations tied to Sandusky’s work with The Second Mile charity and his role under Hall of Fame coach Joe Paterno, whose firing followed the scandal.
Why it matters
The motion could affect the legal avenues available to a high-profile convicted sex offender and the handling of alleged recantations in abuse cases.
In this story
