>> we'll get started this morning with the sentencing of former penn state football football coach jerry sandusky and the recorded message he released last night. nbc's michael isikoff is at the courthouse this morning. michael, good morning to you.
>> reporter: good morning, savannah. jerry sandusky , convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse , never testified during his trial, but he's got a lot to say now, and we're expecting to hear more this morning when he's escorted back into this courthouse to hear a judge deliver his sentence.
>> they can take away my life. they can make me out as a monster. they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart.
>> reporter: a statement recorded by a penn state radio station and arranged by his lawyer, jerry sandusky spoke out from jail on the eve of today's sentencing.
>> in my heart i know i did not do these alleged disgusting acts. my wife has been my only sex partner, and that was after marriage. our love continues
>> reporter: former penn state defensive coach blamed a well-orchestrated conspiracy for his conviction and lashed out at his accusers for what he called the worst loss of his life.
>> the accusers were products of many more people and experiences than me. look at their confidantes and their honesty. think how easy it was to turn on me given the information, attention and potential perks.
>> reporter: sandusky met his victims through the second mile, a charity for troubled youth. eight victims testified during sandusky 's trial, describing repeated acts of sexual abuse in the school's shower, even in his basement.
>> i never labeled or put down them or their families. i tried and i cared, then asked for the same. please realize all came to the second mile because of issues. some of those may remain.
>> reporter: in what promises to be an emotional hearing today, at least three of sandusky 's victims are expected to read their own statement.
>> well, he's viewing this as his last opportunity to directly confront mr. sandusky . now i think he wants to let mr. sandusky know that he's angry, and he doesn't forgive him.
>> my client is still haunted by what has been done to him by mr. sandusky . he will recall the pain, the anguish and the tears that it has caused him.
>> reporter: regardless of what sentence he gets, sandusky , 68, says he and his wife dottie will continue to fight for justice.
>> people need to be portrayed for who they really are. we've not been complainers, and we couldn't have kids we adopted. when we didn't have time to prepare for a trial, we still gave it our best. we will fight for another chance. we have given many second chances, and now we'll ask for one.
>> reporter: now sandusky is potentially facing more than 400 years in prison. legal experts say he's likely to receive a lot less than that but more than enough to ensure that he spends the rest of his life behind bars . savannah? is there michael isikoff at the courthouse this morning, thank you.
Source: http://video.today.msnbc.msn.com/today/49340512/
doonesbury padma lakshmi daughtry lakers trade ann arbor news ides of march elizabeth smart
No comments:
Post a Comment