Judge: Sandusky can see grandkids, have local jury

HARRISBURG, Pa. — The judge in Jerry Sandusky's child sex abuse trial on Monday granted the former Penn State assistant coach's request to have a jury composed of residents of State College and the surrounding area and gave him permission to visit with most of his grandchildren.

Judge John Cleland ordered the state attorney general's office to tell defense lawyers where and when the purported crimes occurred and how old the children were at the time.

The judge said jury selection will be a challenge, given the pretrial publicity and the special role that Penn State plays in the Centre County community.

"If, after a reasonable attempt it is apparent that a jury cannot be selected within a reasonable time, then I will reconsider this ruling," Cleland wrote.

Cleland encouraged state prosecutors to work with the judge who supervised a grand jury that investigated Sandusky to figure out how to release grand jury transcripts to Sandusky's lawyers "on a schedule which balances the appropriate interests of maintaining the secrecy of the grand jury while still assuring the trial can proceed without unnecessary disruption."

Sandusky faces 52 criminal counts for what prosecutors say was the sexual abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period. He has denied the allegations.

Prosecutors had asked to have Sandusky, who is on home confinement as he awaits trial, ordered to remain indoors after they fielded concerns by neighbors about the safety of children, particularly at an elementary school behind Sandusky's house. Cleland denied that motion.

"No evidence was presented that at any time the defendant made any effort to contact any of the children by signaling or calling to them, or that he made any gestures directed toward them, or that he acted in any inappropriate way whatsoever," Cleland wrote.

Sandusky, 68, was granted the right to see adult visitors, as well as his grandchildren — under their parents' supervision — except for three grandchildren who are the subject of custody litigation. Cleland deferred visits with those children to the judge overseeing the custody case.

Sandusky was allowed to make up a list of up to 12 adults he would like to be able to see, subject to approval by the county officials overseeing his home confinement. He will be limited to a total of two hours of visits, three times a week.