Judge in Jerry Sandusky’s abuse case issues gag order
Associated Press
HARRISBURG, Pa.
The judge overseeing the child sex abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky issued a gag order Monday that severely limits what attorneys on both sides may say to reporters.
Judge John Cleland’s order also applies to any law enforcement investigator who has worked on the case and anyone acting on behalf of the lawyers.
The off-limit topics include evidence; opinions about Sandusky’s guilt or innocence or about the merits of legal and factual matters under discussion; and “the reputation, character, credibility or criminal record of the defendant or any witness, prospective witness or organization which is or may testify at trial, or be the subject of trial testimony or evidence.”
He directed the lawyers to “make reasonable efforts” to limit statements by witnesses or the witnesses’ lawyers and to be able to prove they have taken those steps.
Cleland said he was acting to help ensure a “fair, impartial and orderly trial” for Sandusky, a proceeding scheduled to begin June 5 in Bellefonte.
Sandusky, 68, is charged with sexually abusing 10 boys over 15 years, and authorities say some of the abuse happened on Penn State’s campus. Sandusky has maintained his innocence on the 52 counts against him.
Sandusky attorney Karl Rominger said he was studying the order.
“Having never been gagged by a court before, I will need to research the law and First Amendment issues,” Rominger said in an email. “I’m pretty sure the court has the authority to limit press contacts, I just don’t know what the law says about the scope and nature of such limits. Since the order does affect the media as well, I’ll be curious to see if any press outlets appeal it.”
A spokesman for the attorney general’s office declined to comment.
Cleland said his order applies to comments that could reasonably be expected to be disseminated and to comments made on background or without attribution.