Judge Grants Hearing on Recantation in Sandusky Abuse Case

A judge in Centre County, Pennsylvania, has scheduled a hearing for September 8 to consider a man's request to recant allegations of sexual abuse against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The man, identified in court documents as R.R., claims he was extensively coached by authorities during the original investigation. In an affidavit filed by Sandusky's attorneys, R.R. said he was told that trauma may have fragmented his memory and that he could safely affirm details he did not fully recall. He said he was assured this was common and even expected.

Sandusky, 82, has been serving a decades-long prison sentence since his 2012 conviction on 45 counts of sexual abuse involving multiple boys. He has repeatedly failed in efforts to obtain a new trial.

State prosecutors argue that Sandusky's petition is untimely. It is not yet known whether Sandusky will appear at the hearing. His attorneys did not respond to requests for comment.

The scandal, which involved Sandusky's work with at-risk youth through his charity The Second Mile, led to the firing of head coach Joe Paterno and cost the university over $100 million in settlements. Sandusky has consistently maintained his innocence, saying in a 2019 court appearance, "I apologize that I'm unable to admit remorse for this because it's something that I didn't do."