Penn State AD and Sandusky Charged
- Thread starter Pesky Pole
- Start date
Basically this shows that the grand jury thought McQueary's testimony (along with previous evidence of Sandusky's transgressions) was credible enough to go to trial, despite getting conflicting testimony from Dr. Dramov (whose name should definitely be used as a villain in a Bond movie).
In a trial, they'll both likely have to testify, and if they give the same testimony, a jury will have to decide if Dramov's testimony will mitigate whatver McQueary alleges happened.
In a trial, they'll both likely have to testify, and if they give the same testimony, a jury will have to decide if Dramov's testimony will mitigate whatver McQueary alleges happened.
I don't think that this will have much effect on the Sandusky trial, if only because there is so much other circumstantial evidence, and presumably, first-hand testimony from victims that will really bury him. I just wonder what else the prosecution has in its possession for the charges of perjury and failure to report against Curley and Schultz. It seems that Dramov's testimony corroborates their claim that McQueary's initial report to them was materially different from what he told the grand jury. I mean, if it's he said/they said with little supporting evidence, I can't see those charges being proven beyond a reasonable doubt.
The investigation is still ongoing. I wonder if the omission of Dr. Dramov's account from the grand jury report signifies that his testimony implicates people who are not yet charged.
In the end, perjury charges are difficult to prove, and I don't expect Curley or Schultz (or anyone else) to be convicted. Best-case scenario would be for the DA to cut plea deals with those two on the failure-to-report charges (which would end their careers) and secure their cooperation with the PSU inquiry, in exchange for no jail time.
We're not going to get "justice" in this case. Let's at least find out what really happened.
In the end, perjury charges are difficult to prove, and I don't expect Curley or Schultz (or anyone else) to be convicted. Best-case scenario would be for the DA to cut plea deals with those two on the failure-to-report charges (which would end their careers) and secure their cooperation with the PSU inquiry, in exchange for no jail time.
We're not going to get "justice" in this case. Let's at least find out what really happened.
You know those computer glitches. Always very careful when inadvertently releasing information. What is whole report, like 900 pages? It would be nice to read the whole thing, reputations be damned.
Given what we know about the psychology of eyewitness accounts (and their generally unreliable nature in the most difficult situations), it's certainly possibly that McQueary himself has gone back and forth as to what he saw.
Note that I don't mean this to defend him at all, or say that he is or isn't a fucking clown - just that a sort of waffling nature would actually be consistent with most of the research on eyewitness accounts, and the relatively strong effect of outside factors on encoding and retrieval.
He also could well have told the different audiences different versions of the story - in fact, the way McQueary's been all over the map here, this actually seems particularly likely. Self-reporting things like "level of surety" is pretty unreliable in and of itself.
In the end (good lord, no pun intended), I don't think McQueary's testimony -- whatever it is -- is going to amount to a whole lot in terms of convicting Sandusky. The alleged victims will be more than enough to put him away. But I agree with the notion that it may be critical in terms of the perjury charges, which I could care less about, frankly. There certainly appears to be a broad conspiracy to cover up Sandusky's activities in order to protect the football program and that will probably never get prosecuted.
Sandusky waived his right to a preliminary hearing this morning, nothing like waiting until the case starts to notify everyone who traveled and mentally prepared to testify. Accusers though now will only have to testify once.
Case now goes to Common Pleas court. Arraignment set Jan. 11.
Case now goes to Common Pleas court. Arraignment set Jan. 11.
Is anyone familiar with the hearsay rules in PA state court? If the victims had testified, I'm curious whether the state could have introduced the transcripts at trial if the victims were unavailable (died, moved out of state, etc.). If so, waiving the hearing was the right move.
Let's not forget that our justice system depends on having talented people who are willing to defend the likes of Jerry Sandusky. I've been critical of Sandusky's attorney for his out-of-court statements, but even I don't think he should have waived his client's rights sooner for the sake of the people who want to put his client behind bars for the balance of his life.
Watching Amendola's press conference.
Holy shit, does this guy ever fulfill every Hollywood stereotype of a scummy defense lawyer.
Holy shit, does this guy ever fulfill every Hollywood stereotype of a scummy defense lawyer.
PA allows hearsay under special circumstances, including depositions. Here's the law for your reference.
Thanks -- that's not exactly the rule, but it led me to this related provision. The PA rule is similar to the rule that applies in federal court (and in most other states' courts) -- prior testimony is only admissible if the defendant had an opportunity and similar motive to cross-examine the witness.
From what I've read, it seems like attacks on witnesses' credibility would have been off limits during the preliminary hearing. Based on this case (which is not exactly on point), I suspect this limitation on cross-examination would be sufficient to render the preliminary hearing testimony inadmissible at trial. There may be a case directly on point, but I don't have time to find it.
Therefore, Amendola's decision not to cross-examine Sandusky's accusers probably had more to do with PR considerations than litigation tactics. If Amendola can't impeach the victims' credibility, he'd rather not have them tell their stories in open court, because it would make it that much more difficult for his client to get a fair trial.
Of course, Sandusky is clearly guilty and will be convicted. Even putting my lawyer hat on, I used the word "victims" to describe the witnesses -- it seemed wrong to use any other description.
Fucking piece of shit further abusing his victims. I can't imagine how difficult it must be for them to prepare for today and now have the rug pulled out from under them by not allowing their voices to be heard today. He's a fucking coward and his attorney exemplifies all that is wrong with our judicial system. Not saying he didn't have this right or that his attorney wasn't acting in his best interests, but I'm viewing this from the side of the victims and it seems to me that he's continuing to bully them to this day. I know they'll get their day in court, but it's still an emotional blow that they no doubt did not need.
"All that is wrong with our judicial system"
What do you find particularly wrong about our judicial system and in what way is this attorney perpetuating that?
It sounds to me that you would like Sandusky to have to suffer the most possible pain and for his victims to be made whole, emotionally, physically, and every other way.
I want that too. But that is not the job of our justice system. That's in God's hands.
What do you find particularly wrong about our judicial system and in what way is this attorney perpetuating that?
It sounds to me that you would like Sandusky to have to suffer the most possible pain and for his victims to be made whole, emotionally, physically, and every other way.
I want that too. But that is not the job of our justice system. That's in God's hands.
I'm sure the victims' lawyers/prosecutors explained to the victims the likelihood of this happening. Not that it makes any less difficult, but they probably had a good idea this was going to happen.
Here's an e-mail PSU President Rodney Erickson has sent alumni with answers to 6 FAQ. I'll show the questions and include the e-mail in a spoiler so those who don't want to read it can simply skip it without scrolling.
1. What is your reaction to the allegations in the Grand Jury presentment?
2. Actions speak louder than words: what is Penn State doing to help combat the problem of child abuse?
3. Last week USA Today reported that Penn State is rethinking the role of the football program. What does that mean?
4. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Penn Staters had nothing to do with the incidents under investigation, it feels like the entire University is being judged. How can we move forward?
5. What investigations are currently under way at Penn State, and how do we know they are sufficiently independent?
6. How do I report ethics violations? Are there new procedures?
1. What is your reaction to the allegations in the Grand Jury presentment?
2. Actions speak louder than words: what is Penn State doing to help combat the problem of child abuse?
3. Last week USA Today reported that Penn State is rethinking the role of the football program. What does that mean?
4. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Penn Staters had nothing to do with the incidents under investigation, it feels like the entire University is being judged. How can we move forward?
5. What investigations are currently under way at Penn State, and how do we know they are sufficiently independent?
6. How do I report ethics violations? Are there new procedures?
Common Questions
Since I was appointed president nearly six weeks ago, I have received thousands of letters and emails from individuals across the University and around the world. These notes run the gamut from strong support to questions to suggestions to dissatisfaction with my decisions or the pace of our progress. I appreciate all of the input â€" I value your opinions and I am committed to listening to your concerns. We weigh many factors in our decision-making process, and your feedback is important.
My staff and I are doing our best to respond personally to all the mail in a timely fashion. However, given the volume, I wanted to take this opportunity to answer a few of the most common questions that are coming across my desk.
1. What is your reaction to the allegations in the Grand Jury presentment?
These are very serious allegations, and we are fully cooperating with the investigations under way. I am very concerned and will do whatever I can to further the process. However, I'm also trying to focus on the future of Penn State. We are a great university, with outstanding academic accomplishments, a remarkable research enterprise, and extraordinary students, faculty, staff and alumni. We need to tell that story too.
2. Actions speak louder than words: what is Penn State doing to help combat the problem of child abuse?
Penn State has committed $1.5 million of its share of Big Ten bowl game revenues to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to assist in the efforts to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and develop outreach educational programming across the Commonwealth and beyond. Last week we announced the launch of a Center for the Protection of Children at the Hershey Medical Center that will be devoted to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. The Center, which will also be supported by bowl revenues, is the first piece of a University-wide institute that will bring together many existing and expanding resources at Penn State related to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Late last month the University opened a Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Hotline at 800-550-7575 (TTY 866-714-7177) that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all Penn State Campuses. See http://live.psu.edu/tag/Penn_State_!
Promise for the latest updates.
3. Last week USA Today reported that Penn State is rethinking the role of the football program. What does that mean?
Intercollegiate athletics, including our very successful football program, will always be a part of who we are, but the University needs to emphasize the balance between athletics and our core mission and our long-standing academic excellence. Athletics is part of a broader picture, and Penn State's academic efforts also deserve to be heralded. I intend to see that our stellar academic program becomes a more important face of Penn State.
4. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Penn Staters had nothing to do with the incidents under investigation, it feels like the entire University is being judged. How can we move forward?
I get this question frequently from students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, and I understand the concerns. As a community, we need to work together to refocus on our educational goals and to rebuild the enthusiasm and pride that has characterized Penn State for more than 155 years. Although it will take some time to return to a more normal situation, we must make every effort to take note of and publicize the many wonderful things that Penn Staters are doing every day inside and outside the University. We should also take time to participate in and enjoy the performances, lectures, exhibits, extracurricular activities, athletic competitions, and holiday events. Together, let's try to rebuild our sense of community through our conduct, communications and interactions with one another, and our participation in uplifting campus and community experiences.
5. What investigations are currently under way at Penn State, and how do we know they are sufficiently independent?
We are voluntarily cooperating with all of the investigations under way. The Board of Trustee's Special Investigations Task Force has charged Judge Louis Freeh, former director of the FBI, with conducting the investigation into all aspects of the University's actions with regard to the allegations of child abuse involving a former Penn State employee contained in the recent Grand Jury report. Judge Freeh is known for his honesty, integrity and due diligence. He has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation and the Trustees have promised to make the results public. He is an independent investigator, and I have complete confidence in his objectivity. In addition, Penn State is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's criminal investigation continues. The NCAA and the Big Ten have also notified us that future investigations could be launched. At Penn State, we are committed to an open and honest discovery process; the knowledge gained will be critical for the future well-being of our institution.
6. How do I report ethics violations? Are there new procedures?
Penn State has had a longstanding, confidential Ethics and Compliance Hotline, and we are taking steps to publicize it and to educate the community about these important issues. The purpose of the 24/7 hotline â€" 800-560-1637 â€" is to report problems including financial matters such as fraud, theft, conflict of interest and other violations of University policy, including research compliance matters, discrimination, athletics-compliance issues and more. Additional resources can be found here: http://live.psu.edu/story/56545 and at the University Ethics web site: http://www.universit...policies.shtml.
There are many more questions, and I will continue to keep you updated to the best of my ability. I look forward to greeting the Class of 2011, faculty, staff and families at Commencement this weekend. For those who will be traveling, please enjoy a safe and relaxing semester break.
Again, thank you for being a part of Penn State!
President Rodney Erickson
Since I was appointed president nearly six weeks ago, I have received thousands of letters and emails from individuals across the University and around the world. These notes run the gamut from strong support to questions to suggestions to dissatisfaction with my decisions or the pace of our progress. I appreciate all of the input â€" I value your opinions and I am committed to listening to your concerns. We weigh many factors in our decision-making process, and your feedback is important.
My staff and I are doing our best to respond personally to all the mail in a timely fashion. However, given the volume, I wanted to take this opportunity to answer a few of the most common questions that are coming across my desk.
1. What is your reaction to the allegations in the Grand Jury presentment?
These are very serious allegations, and we are fully cooperating with the investigations under way. I am very concerned and will do whatever I can to further the process. However, I'm also trying to focus on the future of Penn State. We are a great university, with outstanding academic accomplishments, a remarkable research enterprise, and extraordinary students, faculty, staff and alumni. We need to tell that story too.
2. Actions speak louder than words: what is Penn State doing to help combat the problem of child abuse?
Penn State has committed $1.5 million of its share of Big Ten bowl game revenues to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape and the National Sexual Violence Resource Center to assist in the efforts to raise awareness about child sexual abuse and develop outreach educational programming across the Commonwealth and beyond. Last week we announced the launch of a Center for the Protection of Children at the Hershey Medical Center that will be devoted to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. The Center, which will also be supported by bowl revenues, is the first piece of a University-wide institute that will bring together many existing and expanding resources at Penn State related to the prevention and treatment of child abuse. Late last month the University opened a Sexual Assault and Relationship Violence Hotline at 800-550-7575 (TTY 866-714-7177) that can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for all Penn State Campuses. See http://live.psu.edu/tag/Penn_State_!
Promise for the latest updates.
3. Last week USA Today reported that Penn State is rethinking the role of the football program. What does that mean?
Intercollegiate athletics, including our very successful football program, will always be a part of who we are, but the University needs to emphasize the balance between athletics and our core mission and our long-standing academic excellence. Athletics is part of a broader picture, and Penn State's academic efforts also deserve to be heralded. I intend to see that our stellar academic program becomes a more important face of Penn State.
4. Despite the fact that the vast majority of Penn Staters had nothing to do with the incidents under investigation, it feels like the entire University is being judged. How can we move forward?
I get this question frequently from students, faculty, staff, parents and alumni, and I understand the concerns. As a community, we need to work together to refocus on our educational goals and to rebuild the enthusiasm and pride that has characterized Penn State for more than 155 years. Although it will take some time to return to a more normal situation, we must make every effort to take note of and publicize the many wonderful things that Penn Staters are doing every day inside and outside the University. We should also take time to participate in and enjoy the performances, lectures, exhibits, extracurricular activities, athletic competitions, and holiday events. Together, let's try to rebuild our sense of community through our conduct, communications and interactions with one another, and our participation in uplifting campus and community experiences.
5. What investigations are currently under way at Penn State, and how do we know they are sufficiently independent?
We are voluntarily cooperating with all of the investigations under way. The Board of Trustee's Special Investigations Task Force has charged Judge Louis Freeh, former director of the FBI, with conducting the investigation into all aspects of the University's actions with regard to the allegations of child abuse involving a former Penn State employee contained in the recent Grand Jury report. Judge Freeh is known for his honesty, integrity and due diligence. He has pledged to conduct a thorough investigation and the Trustees have promised to make the results public. He is an independent investigator, and I have complete confidence in his objectivity. In addition, Penn State is being investigated by the U.S. Department of Education, and the Pennsylvania Attorney General's criminal investigation continues. The NCAA and the Big Ten have also notified us that future investigations could be launched. At Penn State, we are committed to an open and honest discovery process; the knowledge gained will be critical for the future well-being of our institution.
6. How do I report ethics violations? Are there new procedures?
Penn State has had a longstanding, confidential Ethics and Compliance Hotline, and we are taking steps to publicize it and to educate the community about these important issues. The purpose of the 24/7 hotline â€" 800-560-1637 â€" is to report problems including financial matters such as fraud, theft, conflict of interest and other violations of University policy, including research compliance matters, discrimination, athletics-compliance issues and more. Additional resources can be found here: http://live.psu.edu/story/56545 and at the University Ethics web site: http://www.universit...policies.shtml.
There are many more questions, and I will continue to keep you updated to the best of my ability. I look forward to greeting the Class of 2011, faculty, staff and families at Commencement this weekend. For those who will be traveling, please enjoy a safe and relaxing semester break.
Again, thank you for being a part of Penn State!
President Rodney Erickson
This really isn't all that bad for the accusers. A PC hearing would have been held to establish probable cause so that the trial could go forward. They are getting the same result WITHOUT having to testify twice. Of course, it's also good for the defendant in theory, because the testimony would have generated awful pretrial publicity for him.
You couldn't make this shit up: http://rivals.yahoo.com/ncaa/football/blog/dr_saturday/post/Jerry-Sandusky-8217-s-lawyer-suggests-calling-a?urn=ncaaf-wp11446
DotB - awesome
As for my earlier angry rant, I had "today" "on the way into the clubhouse" "with a candlestick" in the "When, where, and how will Sandusky be killed" pool. I can deal with a lot, but I have zero sympathy for people who do bad things to kids.
As for my earlier angry rant, I had "today" "on the way into the clubhouse" "with a candlestick" in the "When, where, and how will Sandusky be killed" pool. I can deal with a lot, but I have zero sympathy for people who do bad things to kids.
My understanding was that what is weird here is that he didn't originally waive the hearing which is standard practice, but then did at the last minute.
I agree about the right to an attorney, but that kind gamesmanship may be in a grayer area. And it's getting pretty tough to give the defense team the "this is about the right to a defense" benefit of the doubt--this doesn't sound like Adams's declaration that facts are stubborn things, so to speak.
I've never seen a bigger legal trainwreck than what is passing for Sandusky's defense. No effing WAY would I waive prelim in a case like this. It doesn't matter that you won't win (here in PA, the prosecution only has to make out a prima facie case, so the credibility of the witnesses doesn't matter). It doesn't matter that you'll hear a shitstorm of damning testimony. You have the hearing so you can get a preview of the prosecution's case, observe & evaluate the witnesses, and get their stories on the record early. In other words, it's probably the best discovery the defense will get.
And doing this after both Sandusky & Amendola, in the parlance of the trade, barfed all over themselves (repeatedly) in front of a national audience? Just breathtakingly incompetent. And bizarre.
And doing this after both Sandusky & Amendola, in the parlance of the trade, barfed all over themselves (repeatedly) in front of a national audience? Just breathtakingly incompetent. And bizarre.
I don't think it was gamesmanship. My guess is that Sandusky didn't think that any of the victims would actually testify of the preliminary hearing. And once he realized that he was about to face them, he lost his nerve and begged out.
I would add that Sandusky's lawyer doesn't strike me as being smart enough to carry out a coherent strategy. He seems like he's just winging it.
McQuery is on the stand now. Follow here:
https://twitter.com/CoryGiger
https://twitter.com/OnwardState
https://twitter.com/pennlive
https://twitter.com/CoryGiger
https://twitter.com/OnwardState
https://twitter.com/pennlive
http://www.coveritlive.com/index2.php?option=com_altcaster&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=fd3ba9844d
An account of McQueary's testimony, from PennLive:
Curley and Schultz will both go to trial on charges of perjury, though McQueary has been sufficiently ambiguous in some reports (eg, Dranov's account) that it seems more likely that they will reach some sort of plea deal on the misdemeanor charge of failing to report child abuse to authorities.
More like rotting fruit on the ground, bend over an pick it up at your own risk.
Holy crap, that's a terribly written article.
What are the key facts?
-- Second Mile CEO Jack Raykovitz learned about the 2002 allegations against Sandusky, and PSU's related decision to tell Sandusky he could no longer bring children to campus. The article doesn't say when Raykovitz learned this information, but implies it was close in time to when the events actually occurred (i.e., in 2002 or 2003).
-- Raykovitz's source was Tim Curley -- the former PSU athletic director who is now under indictment for perjury. Remember, Curley testified that he was only informed of "inappropriate" conduct by Sandusky, and nothing anything like what the grand jury report alleges. Curley says he provided similarly vague information to Raykovitz.
-- Raykovitz maintains that Curley further told him that the incident had been investigated, and that Sandusky had been cleared of wrongdoing. It's not clear from the article whether Curley corroborated this detail. (It's possible he wasn't asked -- Raykovitz presumably wasn't a target of the grand jury investigation.)
-- Two VPs who worked for Raykovitz said details about the 2008 allegation against Sandusky (which spurred the current investigation) were closely held within TSM at first. When Sandusky resigned from the Board in 2009, TSM staff were told he had been accused of abuse, but the sexual nature of the alleged abuse was not specified, even at that late date.
-- In November 2008, a child protection official from a neighboring county claims he told Raykovitz's wife that his agency was terminating its relationship with TSM because of abuse allegations. The official didn't name Sandusky, but he says Raykovitz's wife "eventually guessed correctly" (the article's words) that Sandusky was the person accused of wrongdoing. The official also says that Raykovitz's wife told him that a member of the TSM board would be speaking to Sandusky about staying away from TSM events involving children. A few of the Board members quoted in the article left the Board in the 2004-05 time frame, so even assuming this hearsay is accurate (and that she was telling the truth), this doesn't necessarily contradict the Board members' accounts. Raykovitz claims the official is misreporting the conversation with his wife. (She isn't talking.)
-- The acting CEO (Raykovitz resigned shortly after Sandusky's indictment) refuses to discuss the organization's handling of its knowledge of the 2002 allegations.
Damn, I had to read that article three or four times to grab all those facts. Did I miss anything important?
Bill O'Brien to Penn State is basically done.
The collective scream you hear and smoke you see is from State College and surrounding environs. Reactions this morning are fucking hilarious.
Good for Penn State not to cave to this alums, donors, and former players in order to hire a coach with ties to Penn State's past. O'Brien will clean that mess up if he is given the time to do so and I think the school will.
He has a huge job ahead. There were plenty of empty seats for the Nebraska game after the scandal hit. Many season ticketholders are debating right now whether they should keep sinking their money into tickets and donations. The program could go from making a $20M profit to losing money in 2012. This could get ugly real fast for O'Brien, who could be just a sacrificial lamb with no chance to succeed.
Personally, I like the choice. If Penn State can absorb some of the principles of Belichick's regime by hiring a top assistant, that's not a bad thing. I'm talking about emphasizing team over the individual, of players respecting the game and not taunting opponents, stuff like that. Maybe O'Brien can even fix the offense. But if he can't recruit -- and he's losing basically two recruiting classes because of the scandal -- then the guy has a long-term problem.
If these assorted groups have any brains, they'll rally behind O'Brien hard. Even if they'll never accept him, it is better to pray like hell that he suceeds wildly and gets promoted out of there. Because the alternative -- abysmal failure -- could very well spell the end of the program for good as a national power.
The reaction out of Penn State on this is absolutely mind blowing. As far as I'm concerned, they should be happy that anyone who isn't currently a high school coach is willing to walk into that mess and try to succeed. Instead, they're up in arms that a current NFL assistant is willing to come coach in that disaster? And they're livid because he's NOT tied to the former regime and the University's obviously incredibly lofty standards and tradition that was so strong of character that it allowed molestation to go on under its nose for literally years after it was even first reported.
These people need a sanity check. These fans should all be committed because they've obviously lost their goddamned minds.
These people need a sanity check. These fans should all be committed because they've obviously lost their goddamned minds.
Blame Charlie Weis and his failure at Notre Dame for some of the negative reaction. And the other Belichick assistants who have failed in either the pros or college. Josh McDaniels.
Penn State people under the age of 50 have never known a head coach other than Paterno. They're just overreacting to an entirely new situation. The best thing O'Brien can do is ride the Patriots to a Super Bowl victory and get a lot of television face time as the next Penn State coach as he is standing on the sidelines, talking to Brady and Belichick.
The problem for Penn State right now is trying to sell O'Brien to its alumni. That isn't going to happen overnight.
Agreed.
Kids were getting raped and Lavar Arrington is talking about the fucking Good Old Days.
The fact that these people believe that their tradition somehow has more gravitas than the fact that their patriarch and his staff allowed so many children to be raped is just stunning. Nobody gives a shit about your fucking tradition. Fuck your tradition. Fuck your crooked police force, and fuck your fucking boys club of predator-enablers. You're lucky you can get anybody to come through those doors and try to clean up this heinous mess your scum of the earth former employees left there.
I don't like to use words like "brainwashing" but you have to be drinking some pretty serious kool-aid to think that your desire to have a football coach with Penn State ties is even marginally appropriate to espouse out loud, let alone throw a full-on twitter tantrum when it doesn't happen.
This isn't getting enough attention. I am a semi-regular poster on the board where the author of this inspired act posts. It's called shaggybevo.com, a site centered around University of Texas sports. The guy who did this is a Dallas-based lawyer with very strong opinions on the whole PSU mess. He ended up getting on all sorts of web sites for this stunt. If you want some entertaining reading on this topic, including links to delusional Penn State boards like Black Shoe Diaries, go here.
Dude went to my high school as well.
Really, I hope O'Brien fails miserably, because I would find it really disturbing if 5 years from now Pedo State is playing in the Rose Bowl and all ESPN can talk about is how great it is they overcame their tragedy, like it's water under the bridge. This fan base should always be reminded what Paterno and Sandusky did.
Edit: Changed Penn to Pedo, since Weebs is right, that's their name now.
Edit: Changed Penn to Pedo, since Weebs is right, that's their name now.
Are you serious?
Everyone associated with Pedo State should be ecstatic that they're getting anyone into that situation.
Hell, the minimum requirement at this point should be "Doesn't fuck kids."
N...no. That's not even close to being correct.
The "problem" for Penn State is that many of its alumni and fans are more outraged about an outside hire than they were about children getting raped in the football showers. Or, if you want to make it slightly less damning for Penn State, the "problem" is that to pretty much everyone who isn't associated with Penn State, it certainly seems like they're more outraged over an outside hire than they ever were about their program being associated and perhaps enabling a serial child rapist.
Edited because I can't type with clear diction when I'm enraged by a fanbase that somehow thinks that the sanctity of their football program is more of a pressing issue than children getting assaulted by a sexual predator.
The more vocal Penn State crowd continues to be in complete denial about this entire situation. If the investigation led by Freeh isn't absolutely thorough and doesn't lay bare all the sordid facts about this vile affair, Penn State and its deniers will spend the next decade yelling to the world about waiting for all the facts to come in and for due process to be served. Freeh is seemingly in a no-win situation here: let everything come to light and have Penn State, Paterno, and the culture they created be officially cast into shame and dishonor, or gloss over the facts that are already present in the grand jury presentment and prove that the Paterno cult is more important than raping children. Hard to see how this ends well for anyone.
The tag line for the Black Shoe Diaries web site is "Every Day Should Be Someday Before November 7". November 7 is the day that all this was made public. Think about that - a Penn State fan site dedicated to the idea that the world would be a better place if we all ignored a decade or more of rape. Awesome.
The tag line for the Black Shoe Diaries web site is "Every Day Should Be Someday Before November 7". November 7 is the day that all this was made public. Think about that - a Penn State fan site dedicated to the idea that the world would be a better place if we all ignored a decade or more of rape. Awesome.