'I am an innocent man': Jerry Sandusky speaks from prison ahead of court hearing | EXCLUSIVE
Convicted former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky has been granted a court hearing to address claims from an accuser who wishes to recant previous testimony. Sandusky continues to maintain his innocence, alleging that financial motives drove the original accusations.
Why it matters
This development reopens a high-profile legal case involving systemic child abuse, raising questions about the integrity of the original trial evidence.
SOMERSET, Pa. (WPVI) -- A judge has granted a hearing to explore claims that a man wants to recant allegations of sexual abuse years ago by now-former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.
Sandusky, 82, has been serving a decades-long prison sentence since he was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse involving multiple boys in 2012. He has repeatedly lost efforts to get a new trial.
A man identified in court documents as R.R. said he was coached extensively by authorities.
"I was told -- both directly and indirectly -- that trauma may have fragmented my memory, and that I could safely affirm details I did not fully recall. I was assured this was common and even expected," R.R. said in an affidavit filed by Sandusky's attorneys.
A court hearing in Centre County has been scheduled for Sept. 8. It is not known whether Sandusky will appear.
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