Presiding Senior Judge John Cleland has issued an order in the Jerry Sandusky case requiring that none of the attorneys in the case or anyone who has directed or participated in the investigation leading to charges against Sandusky speak to the media regarding the former assistant football coach's guilt or innocence.
The order also directs them to refrain from sharing evidence in the case, Sandusky's or any potential witnesses reputation and any opinion about the legal or factual merits of the arguments of the prosecution or the defense, according to the order.
The order applies to attorneys working on behalf of the commonwealth, any current or past employees of the Office of the Attorney General, any person acting on behalf of such attorney as an employee or spokesperson, any officer of the Pennsylvania State Police or any other law enforcement official who participated in the investigation against Sandusky and any attorney or attorney's spokesperson acting on Sandusky's behalf.
The order also directs attorneys for the commonwealth and the defendant to make reasonable efforts to limit statements made by its witnesses, or their attorney's and spokespeople -- and be prepared to show documentation to the court that they have done so.
Sandusky is charged with 52 counts of child sex abuse. He has maintained his innocence through his attorneys. On Thursday, Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola asked Cleland to dismiss his motions filed March 22 to dismiss the charges against Sandusky. Amendola said he would refile the motions at a more appropriate time, given the ongoing investigations by prosecutors.
Read Tuesday's edition of The Daily Collegian for more information.
