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Sandusky defense attorney: It was the expected outcome

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    Joe Amendola addresses media after guilty verdict

  • Duration 10:16
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Being -- and -- family is very did supported obviously by the verdict of the jury but we respect their verdict.

You may recall.

For those of you who have been with this case from the beginning.

That we said that we had.

A tidal wave of public opinion against Jerry sandusky of the charges filed against him.

That he had been determined to be guilty.

By the public in the media from the very outset of the charges.

And that we had an uphill battle I used the analogy that.

We were attempting to it that the climb Mount Everest from the bottom of that now.

Well obviously we didn't make it.

We always felt we once felt that -- Fair -- would come former senator caddie jury and we still believe that.

The jury obviously believe the Commonwealth's evidence believe the commonwealth witnesses.

That's clear from their verdict.

I've been asked already inside is that a surprise and -- actually it was the expected outcome.

Because of the overwhelming amount of evidence against Jerry sandusky.

You may also recall.

That we asked for a continuance of a number of occasions on the bases that we needed more time to sift through thousands of pages of materials.

To determine.

What other types of defenses we might have.

But due to judicial -- as we were forced to proceed to trial at this time.

I think most of you would have agreed with me that had someone said last November December we'd have a trial -- early June.

That you -- agreed that that was not very likely at all and yet here we are.

With the trial and out of has concluded and it's still the latter part of June after three weeks in court.

We have some appeal issues will pursue.

We feel we have some decent fuel issues but I do what do say this.

The prosecution.

Handled the case that an example -- matter.

They're professionals.

They presented their case and a solid fashion we congratulate them.

The judge in this case was marvelous judge clearly and was the ultimate jurors he was fair.

He was firm.

He was a reasonable.

With everything we asked for.

The only disagreement obviously we had was our requests -- continuance.

But aside from that.

It would be my privilege.

To serve in front of judge Cleveland and a future -- any sort of case knowing that.

He would give that defended.

Didn't give council -- fair a fair shake get a fair trial.

We believe -- did an outstanding job.

Again that's with any case -- issues which we will take up -- appeal.

A number of people they asked me about.

What happened -- Jerry sandusky not testifying here after we spoke about that.

Now I could talk about it we had a gag order in place which prevented us from doing so.

But.

Late last Thursday afternoon.

Just before the commonwealth was to close its case the commonwealth.

-- -- tool out of commonwealth to keep its case open.

At least overnight because it'd just -- and information that it wanted to investigate.

Later Thursday evening I received a call from the commonwealth attorneys at which time they.

Indicated to me.

-- -- -- -- -- wanted and had contacted them late Thursday afternoon.

Then made a statement today and Thursday evening indicating that Jerry had abused ten years earlier.

And that day worth thinking about introducing match in those -- as a witness that that Jerry's trial -- this matter.

I objected.

The court was involved in a conversation.

I indicated that our whole case was predicated it with -- testify.

And Jerry had always wanted to testify however.

The next day.

The commonwealth attorney advised me it would not cool match in dusty in its case in chief.

That it would reserve the right to call him as a rebuttal witness depending on what evidence we presented.

That created a real dilemma for us because.

If we -- Jerry sandusky now as a witness.

It would almost certainly -- we looked at all the different ways we could avoid it but others certainly would have resulted.

And the commonwealth being permitted to call Matt sent -- -- rebuttal.

So reluctantly and I say reluctantly because Jerry sandusky still wanted to testify.

He denied -- ever inappropriately.

Had contact with with the -- that.

And in fact and it's fairness to -- the remaining.

Number of those children as well as his wife.

Felt the same way and we're prepared to testify.

Against madness back came forward at Jerry's trial in this matter.

That indicated to Jerry had abused him.

But that being said.

We decided as a little strategy position that to -- sure you'll understand.

To send him up to have -- -- -- to this jury and testify against him.

What are -- absolutely destroyed whatever chances he had -- acquittal.

-- so upon -- hard places -- its attorneys.

He reluctantly agreed not to testify and of course that resulted in massive -- -- not testify.

And we felt that that might.

Might at least give Jerry an opportunity.

To be acquitted of some of the idea of were the charges filed against him so that was -- reason Jerry didn't testify at his trial.

Contrary to my opening remarks said he attended to.

I didn't didn't smoke screen you.

I didn't didn't mislead you he fully intended to testify.

-- -- The question is.

Just -- fact did 45 out of 48.

Counts.

Were returned.

As verdicts of guilty but a jury.

Does that prove to made up my client is sick.

And he answers now you know folks there are lots of people sitting in jails all across this country tour this it.

There have been people lots of people off and a lot.

-- okay.

-- may I finish.

Lots of people lots of people.

Over the years who have been executed for murder.

And later determined to a -- -- so what this tells me is this.

This jury.

Look cinemedia can I finish.

What this proves to me is I believe the jury acted genuinely I believe the jury acted in good faith.

I believe the jury -- did -- the evidence that was presented to it.

And I don't dispute or have any problem with the jury's verdict.

We have we had a good jury.

Well you may recall the question is why would not come -- now you have to ask Matt.

But.

You may remember is what I'm going to say is this exactly what you just commenting you may remember the first day -- trial.

That was seated with his family.

And actually according to family members during the testimony of one of the witnesses.

Was kind of mocking the witness and indicating that he didn't believe what the witness was saying we have no idea what happened.

And that's something that that then whoever represents him will have to you have to tell you later.

Yes.

We had anticipated that would be one of our witnesses.

And we were shocked by his family was was absolutely shocked by it.

His parents.

His siblings were distraught by it but never -- that's what we were facing.

Jerry said Jerry said that -- had problems ever since Matt was with them.

And that these problems had -- mad at times to do things that were irrational that it had problems as a juvenile.

And that there were explanations -- word but.

Unfortunately as I said to Jerry that if that were to testify because of the fact that this was a surprise situation.

The jury would undoubtedly believe -- regardless of what evidence they had.

Jerry Jerry indicated he was -- supported by the verdict.

But obviously he has to live with it.

Coming out of I don't I don't go -- And there.

Matt I can't say was will be announced but -- his parents had told me -- had been staying here chip burly recently.

And apparently there are some some issue with this home life where he was staying with -- -- -- Well we have the continuous request for one we have the inability of at least one of our experts did to appear in court.

We have the voluminous amounts of discovery materials that we got as close as two to three weeks before the trial which we did have a chance to review.

I mean I don't know what you folks thought about the trial but we were running many days by the seat of our fans.

Just trying to catch up.

Maybe -- look like that but that's that's the condition we've got ourselves ahead.

We also have some trial issues we have some evidentiary issues which will address -- sense notions which can't be filed until -- after.

The sense it.

-- it looks like.

Essentially essentially.

This sends a jury will receive mobile life sentence just due to -- -- -- --

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