'Tragic day for Penn State,' judge says as he OKs criminal trial for ex-prez, other former officials
A state court judge called Tuesday “a tragic day for Penn State,” as he gave the green light for a criminal trial to proceed against its former president and two other former top officials concerning charges related to the child-sex-abuse scandal in which onetime assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky is now serving time.
At the conclusion of a preliminary hearing, Judge William Wenner determined that there was sufficient evidence to support trying the case against ex-president Graham Spanier, former vice president Gary Schultz and ex-athletic director Tim Curley, the Associated Press reports.
Bloomberg, the Centre Daily Times, CNN and the Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) also have stories.
The three are accused of failing to alert authorities about allegations against Sandusky and participating in a coverup that included hiding evidence from investigators and lying to a grand jury. They contend they were unaware of his claimed sexual abuse of minors and did nothing wrong.
The trial is expected to take place in Harrisburg, but no date has yet been set.
See also:
ABAJournal.com: “Former Penn State President Claims Ex-GC Didn’t Seek Outside Advice or Prepare Him for Grand Jury”
ABAJournal.com: “Ex-Penn State Prez Faces Perjury, Obstruction, Child-Endangerment Case re Sandusky’s Child Sex Abuse”
Centre Daily Times: “Preliminary hearing update: Prosecutors say evidence contradicts former Penn State President Graham Spanier’s testimony to grand jury”
Patriot-News: “Case against former Penn State President Graham Spanier moves to center stage”
