Prosecutor calls Sandusky 'predatory pedophile'

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — Jerry Sandusky was a serial predator who took advantage of fatherless children or those with unstable home lives and sexually abused them for years, the lead prosecutor said today in his opening statement at the former Penn State assistant football coach's trial.

Senior Deputy Attorney General Joseph McGettigan III showed the jury of seven women and five men pictures of the accusers and said that prosecutors will show that the longtime assistant to football coach Joe Paterno was a pedophile whose activities took place "not over days, not over weeks, not even over months, but in some cases over years."

McGettigan told the jury that Sandusky put his hands in one victim's pants and engaged in oral sex with another. He said prosecutors will show a pattern in which Sandusky groomed boys, gave them gifts and then abused them.

Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts that he sexually abused 10 boys over 15 years, allegations he has denied. Sandusky's lawyers were not able to get the judge to delay the trial, and on Friday Judge John Cleland rejected their request to have some or all of the counts dismissed.

They were to offer their opening statement later today.