A new report suggests that Victim 5, whose shower testimony played a crucial role in getting Penn State University's former assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky convicted of child molestation and sex abuse, will speak at the 68-year-old's sentencing on October 9.
The news was first reported on Pennlive.com. Tom Kline, the attorney of victim 5 (whose identity remains undisclosed), confirmed that the now 23-year-old victim will speak in court at the sentencing. Victim 5 testified that he first met the assistant coach when he was in the fifth grade; he told the court that Sandusky had molested him in a shower.
There is no confirmation that the remaining seven victims will speak at the sentencing, however they have all been given the option to do so. According to Sandusky's lawyer Joe Amendola, the convicted pedophile will take the stand and reiterate his innocence. Sandusky did not testify during his trial, but says he will speak to the court on his sentencing in hopes of getting a lesser prison sentence.
In May, a jury of seven women and five men found the 68 year-old guilty of 45 out of the 48 counts against him for sexual abuse of ten young boys over a span of 15 years. Sandusky is currently in Centre County prison awaiting his sentencing, which is scheduled to be held in the coming weeks. He could face a sentence of 400 years with no parole.
In addition to receiving his prison term, Pennsylvania judge John Cleland will also decide whether Sandusky should be categorized as a violent sexual predator, a request made by state prosecutor. If the 68 year old receives the following classification, he will get a lifetime sentence in prison.
Amendola said that he will file for an appeal as soon as a sentence is out. Sandusky and his legal team still maintain his innocence and claim that he was wrongfully convicted.
Recently, Amendola told the Washington Post that his client is likely to be sentenced to life in prison. "Either he gets a new trial or he's in (prison) for the rest of his life," Amendola told USA Today.
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