Sandusky's lawyer seeks dismissal
FILE - In this Dec. 13, 2011 file photo, former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, center left, walks with his attorney Joe Amendola, center right, as he leaves the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte, Pa. Credit: AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar
HARRISBURG, Pa. -- Jerry Sandusky's lawyer asked a judge yesterday to throw out the child sex abuse charges against his client, arguing some counts are not specific enough, evidence is lacking in others and the statute of limitations may have run out regarding eight of the 10 alleged victims.
The catch-all pretrial motion also sought to delay the May 14 start of his trial, saying more time was needed to prepare a defense.
"We raised a number of issues that we thought were pertinent for various reasons," said Sandusky's lawyer, Joe Amendola. "But the judge will have to decide that. We'll see what happens."
The omnibus pretrial motion, as it is called, is standard in Pennsylvania criminal cases.
Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office, said the document was under review, and prosecutors planned to respond in writing within a week. An April 5 court proceeding has been scheduled to hash out any remaining disputes.
Sandusky, 68, who is confined to his home in State College while awaiting trial, has denied the allegations against him. He is accused of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period, including sexual assaults.
Amendola asked Judge John Cleland to compel prosecutors to disclose the nature, times and locations of "any criminal offenses or acts of misconduct," beyond those for which Sandusky has been charged, if they plan to introduce them at trial.
The filing argues that a June search of Sandusky's home was illegal and seeks to prevent prosecutors from using the material at trial. That search yielded computers, records, CDs, DVDs, photos and other items.
