Defense lawyer: Jerry Sandusky did nothing criminal

photo Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky arrives at the Centre County Courthouse for opening statements in his trial on 52 counts of child sexual abuse involving 10 boys over a period of 15 years in Bellefonte, Pa., Monday, June 11, 2012. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)

GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press

MARK SCOLFORO, Associated Press

BELLEFONTE, Pa. - The attorney for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky tells jurors that the young men who will testify in his high-prolife child sex abuse trial are accusers, not victims.

Defense attorney Joe Amendola also told jurors in his opening statement Monday that the three-year investigation into his client indicates how flimsy the prosecution's case is against Sandusky. He also says some of the young men have a financial interest in his case.

Amendola told jurors they may find it odd that Sandusky acknowledged showering with young boys but said there was nothing criminal about his client's actions.

Earlier, prosecutors told the panel of seven woman and five men Sandusky was a "predatory pedophile" who groomed boys from broken homes for sexual contact.

Upcoming Events