Sandusky's Second Victim Surfaces Only to Be Bullied by Lawyers

on November 15, 2011 at 12:38 PM

Jerry Sandusky's attorney said the victim was not assaulted The attorney for former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky is making the rounds on the news talk show circuit trying to convince us that the young man believed to be involved in the alleged rape in the shower incident is saying it didn't happen.

Monday night on Rock Center, Joe Amendola told Bob Costas that not only does he think they have identified the alleged victim who Mike McQueary saw being raped by Sandusky in the shower, but that he "has information that that child [now grown up] says it never happened." On the Today show Tuesday morning, he reiterated this saying that the young man is telling a "very different story" from the one that McQueary is alleging.

Anyone else getting really sick of Sandusky's lawyer trying to bully and intimidate the abuse victim?

It's pretty clear what Amendola's strategy is by going on all the news shows: No doubt he's hoping that several, if not all, of the eight victims listed in the grand jury presentment will come forward and say the sexual abuse never occurred. And his vicious attempts to discredit them on TV -- even going as far as to suggest that some of the victims are in it just for the money -- could actually play a role in making that happen.

Think about it: For people not in the national spotlight, it's really difficult to come forward and admit that they are victims of sexual abuse. I bet a lot of us would deny it -- especially with a camera pointed in our face. The young victims in the Sandusky situation (now around the ages of 18-24) have the additional trauma and horror of being involved in a very public scandal. Now, the accuser's lawyer is making the media rounds and, in effect, speaking for them and saying they're denying the allegations. It's going to take even more strength and courage for them to come forward and tell their horrible story.

Obviously, Amendola has no choice but to defend his client and try to create doubt in the midst of some very serious and convincing allegations. I just wish he would keep the bullying in the courtroom -- instead of on live TV.

Do you find Amendola believable?

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About the author Kim Conte

has shoes that make people stop her on the street and ask "Where did you get those?" but it doesn't work for taxi cabs as she was hit by one ... and lived to tell the tale. She has more freckles than Lohan but way less attitude. And she's a fierce cook with tons of recipes to share -- and wishes she could share some with Bourdain.

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Comments (23)

Nonmember comment from Cdot

on Nov 15, 2011 at 3:20 PM

I think he's pretty stupid to imply that McQueary, Paterno, and others would have put themselves in the position they're in now over something that never happened.

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peytonmanning18

on Nov 16, 2011 at 3:10 PM

I think you are speaking for the victims, just as much as he is! You don't know if victim #2 did deny it or not or if those other victims did have dinner with him or not. Seriously, can you not just wait for the facts to really come out and then comment?

I think it is awful for him to say what these victims did or did not say, just as much as it is for you or anyone else to. Why don't you let the victims speak for themselves...IF THEY WANT TO!!!

Nonmember comment from finnja

on Nov 16, 2011 at 3:24 PM

What I don't get is: How would Sandusky identify that unidentified victim 2, whom he allegedly raped, when he never raped him? I mean, would he REALLY remember like: 'Hey that must have been John Doe, 'cause there was that memorable incident in 2002, when we horsed around in the shower and McQueary dropped by, looked at us for 10 sec left again'. Really? I mean, he obviously showered with boys all the time and horsed around with them, and no one ever confornted him about it. If it was the same with John Doe, back in 2002, why would he REMEMBER?

Nonmember comment from poster

on Nov 16, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Peyton, did you read the grand jury report? Several victims DID speak for themselves. People aren't pulling info out of thin air.

Nonmember comment from localhost

on Nov 17, 2011 at 10:32 AM

The lawyer is tainting the jury pool.

Facebook comment from Seer Clearly

on Nov 17, 2011 at 1:56 PM

Whether or not a victim admits that a rape occurred, if the rape did occur, and there is proof that it did (including eyewitnesses) then it is prosecutable.

Facebook comment from Keith Smith

on Nov 17, 2011 at 9:23 PM

Stranger Abduction Sexual Assault Survivor and Child Safety Expert, Keith Smith shares "5 Steps You Can Take to Keep Kids Safe" at http://www.meninmytown.wordpress.com/

Facebook comment from Ryan Williams

on Nov 18, 2011 at 6:01 PM

The thing that I cant believe people are not talking more about is this. Do we really think Sandusky woke one morning in 1998 and decided he liked little boys? And then again woke up one morning in 2005 or so and decided he didnt anymore? If there is one victim there are many!

Nonmember comment from Concerned

on Nov 18, 2011 at 10:42 PM

I think it's pretty hilarious that he thinks it's fine to comment on a pending case, as a lawyer.

Facebook comment from Vince Everett

on Nov 19, 2011 at 1:14 AM

I have been saying all along that, as a Penn State alum, the charges against Sanduskey are a total crock!!! Sanduskey will be vindicated and these "alleged victims" will be exposed as liars!!!

We are Penn State!!!!!!