Sandusky Charges to Be Dismissed? Lawyers Want All 52 Dropped

By Ivana Kvesic, Christian Post Reporter Friday, March 23, 2012

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's lawyer Joseph Amendola filed a petition at a Pennsylvania courthouse on Thursday looking to have his client dismissed of the charges against him.

Sandusky, 68, is facing 52 charges of child sexual abuse over a 15-year period. His legal council filed the motion on Thursday to dismiss the charges, arguing that the allegations against the former assistant football coach are "non-specific."

Amendola filed the 31-page motion maintaining that for eight of the 10 alleged victims the statute of limitations had already expired and that the allegations against his client lacked sufficient evidence barring him from the ability to "adequately prepare a defense."

The motion also appealed for a delay of the May 14 start date of Sandusky's trial.

"We raised a number of issues that we thought were pertinent for various reasons. But the judge will have to decide that. We'll see what happens," Sandusky's lawyer told The Associated Press.

The Sandusky case has been one of the most high-profile child sex abuse scandals to ever hit a prominent U.S. educational institution.

Sandusky has vehemently denied the claims against him, but made incriminating remarks to media outlets at the height of the scandal that caused massive uproar of speculation about his innocence.

In his first interview following the highly public allegations, the former assistant coach admitted to NBC's Bob Costas that he "horsed around" with boys.

"I have horsed around with kids I have showered [with them] after workouts. I have hugged them and I have touched their legs without intent of sexual contact," Sandusky told the television host.

Sandusky is under house arrest in his home in State College, Pa., while he awaits trial.