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Monday, May 20, 2013 | 11:56 a.m.

Posted: 8:32 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, 2012

June 19. 2012: Dottie stands by her man 

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Dottie Sandusky says no abuse happened in her home. (photo courtesy: Associated Press)
Dottie Sandusky says no abuse happened in her home. (photo courtesy: Associated Press)

By Gary Sinderson

 

Tuesday was a better day for Sandusky's defense team compared to Monday's opening, but is it enough to raise any doubts among the jury?  21 people testified. We had more character witnesses. They included former Penn State linebacker Lance Mehl, along with former PSU wrestler and national champion Dr. Jimmy Martin, both among the friends of Jerry testifying that he's a great guy.

 

We had two state troopers who headed up the initial investigation and couldn't get their stories straight. Their testimony included something out of the Nixon White House with Rose Mary Woods at the tape deck. Except for tape being mysteriously erased, with this crew they accidentally left a tape machine rolling while talking to one of the accusers' attorneys. On the tape they're clearly heard talking about telling the reluctant accuser what other accusers are saying, and that he's not alone in this in hopes he'll tell the police more.  Except on the stand, before the tape is played, one trooper denies they shared any inside info with the accuser. Then when they're called back to the stand one trooper admits they talked about their earlier testimony, while the other denies it. 

 

We had dueling psych doctors. One makes some $300 an hour, was hired by the defense team and testifies Jerry suffers from a Histrionic Personality disorder. But after having problems answering "yes' or "no" questions, and nearly putting everyone to sleep with a dissertation on his qualifications and diagnosis, the doctor admits many of us have some of the personality traits that are included in the disorder. In fact the doctor admits he probably suffers from the Histrionic thing. The next doctor, hired by prosecutors, makes $450 an hour and, shocker, and concludes Jerry has no major personality problems, except he may have issues with determining reality. 

 

Alleged victim number one's mom is called to the stand and questioned about making statements she's in this to get rich. She flat out denies it. But then her neighbor testifies she said, "I'll have Jerry's house", after hearing Sandusky allegedly touched her son.

 

Finally it was Dottie Sandusky's turn. In her testimony, she denies anything inappropriate ever happened in the Sandusky home between her husband, Jerry and the many kids who stayed overnight.  She told the court their downstairs bedroom is not soundproof, and she can’t think of why they would make these allegations. Which sets up Wednesday's big finish for the defense team and Jerry taking the stand. He's said from day one he wants to testify.  Even though his attorney is probably telling him it would be a miracle if they even got a hung jury, Jerry ain't going down without a witness stand blitz on the jury team.

Gary Sinderson

About Gary Sinderson

Gary, manager of our Central Pennsylvania Bureau in State College, has been with 6 News since 1983. He began as a reporter/photo-journalist in the Bureau.

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