Jerry Sandusky Claims Innocence in Child Sex Abuse Case; Public Refuses to Believe Penn State Coach
Former Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky broke his silence with an exclusive interview with NBC that has caused many viewers to cringe and express shock, anger and despair in various comments across the Web.
Sandusky was indicted Nov. 5 on 40 counts of sex abuse charges. Listed in the grand jury presentment were charges involving eight victims from a 15-year span from 1994 to 2009. However, in the days since, that number has reportedly doubled, according to Philadelphia's Fox 29.
There is potential for more charges to arise according to Pennsylvania state attorney general Linda Kelly, who said there was an ongoing investigating occurring.
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In the Monday night interview Sandusky said, "I say that I am innocent of those chargers. ... I have done some of those things. I have horsed around with kids. I have showered after workouts. I have hugged them. I have touched their leg."
Sandusky said he was not a pedophile and when Bob Costas on NBC's "Rock Center with Brian Williams" asked if he was sexually attracted to young boys, Sandusky responded, "Sexually attracted? I enjoy young people. I love to be around them. I love to be around them, but no I am not sexually attracted to young boys."
One commenter on a Huffington Post transcript of the controversial "Rock Center" interview wrote, "Just fess up now Sandusky! You are making this situation way worse by lying and saying you did nothing wrong."
Another comment said, "He is obviously in denial. This man is truly disturbed and sick. I don't agree with those that would like to see him lynched, hanged, etc. We live in a civil society but he should be incarcerated for the remaining years of his life."
Sandusky denied that he had any inappropriate sexual contact with any of the underage boys. He confirmed with Costas that he did not touch their genitals and he never engaged in oral sex. His statement of innocence was spoken in spite of a 2002 incident in which then-assistant coach Mike McQueary witnessed Sandusky allegedly raping a boy in the locker room shower.
Hundreds of people posted on a People magazine report about the exclusive interview. One commenter wrote, "Taking showers after a workout with a child around? Where in the world did he even [think] that would fly? I don't care if he was twenty feet away. It is still not acceptable."
Another People magazine comment read: "I'm disgusted any news outlet would allow this coward [to] sell his story of innocence. The fact that he's claiming to be innocent and likely headed to court to further traumatize the victims in having to relieve the rapes and/or molestation demonstrates his lack of soul."
