Former Penn State University assistant football coach, Jerry Sandusky, was sentenced to between 30 to 60 years in prison in the child sex-abuse case on Tuesday by Centre County Court judge John Cleland in Bellefonte Pennsylvania.
The victims addressed their abuser, while some of them addressed him directly in court, others submitted statements that were read out by prosecutor Joseph McGettigen. None of the identities of the victims were released to the media.
One of the victims said, "You were the person in my life who was supposed to be a role model, teach honor, respect and accountability, and instead you did terrible things that screwed up my life...You had the chance to plead guilty and spare us the testimony...Rather than take the accountability, you decided to try to attack us as if we had done something wrong," as reported by NBC News.
Another victim took to stand and stated, "I have tried to think of the words to describe how Jerry Sandusky has impacted my life. There are no words adequate to express the pain and misery he has inflicted in the past, present and future...He promised to be my friend and mentor. Then came the ultimate betrayal and deeds. He humiliated me beyond description," as reported by NBC News.
In statements read out by the prosecutor McGettigen, one victim said, "I've been left with deep painful wounds that you caused that have been buried in my heart for many years," as reported by Christian Monitor.
Another victim wrote, "I will never erase the images of his naked body on mine. ... He took away my childhood the day he assaulted me," according to Christian Monitor.
The convicted pedophile also addressed the court, remaining adamant on his innocence. This was the first time Sandusky spoke out in court, he did not testify during his trial.
"I didn't do these alleged disgusting acts...as I began to relive everything, I remember my feelings. So many people were hurt, and my eyes filled with tears. It was a horrible time in life to witness, to listen to, be a part of...Many moments I have spent looking for a purpose...Maybe it will help others - some vulnerable children who may have been abused may not be as a result of all the publicity - but I'm not sure about it. I would hope that it would happen," as on NBC News.
Of Sandusky's comments, prosecutor McGettingen said, "It was banal self-delusion completely untethered from reality...It was, in short, ridiculous."
