Agencies Ready to Handle Jerry Sandusky Hearing
By: Jeff Preval
Updated: December 12, 2011
BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY - After weeks of preparation for the much-awaited Jerry Sandusky court date, officials say they're ready for the hearing.
The former Penn State defensive coach will face his alleged child sex abuse victims in court, as they prepare to testify in a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.
Sandusky's second arrest, last week, brought the total number of victims up to ten. Sandusky is looking at more than 50 charges surrounding the child sex abuse scandal that rocked Penn State last month after a grand jury report went public, detailing dozens of charges of sexual assaults and molestation.
When Sandusky walks into Bellefonte court Tuesday morning, as expected, he'll be surrounded by people watching his every move.
For the past three weeks, plans have been developing to make sure people in and around the courthouse are safe.
Local, state and federal officials are in Bellefonte to provide security because of the massive attention the case is getting from media, visitors and people in the area.
The FBI, state police and local officials will coordinate operations outside the courthouse. Monday night and Tuesday morning added security forces, including police will be moving into the area.
Increased security will be there to prevent a disaster, like a bomb threat or any act to harm someone involved in the case.
On Monday night, detour signs are being placed. Public works projects have been shut down, also, parking around the courthouse is being restricted. Road closures include, Allegheny Street from Howard to Bishop Streets, as well as, High Street and others near the courthouse will be affected.
Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola has prepared for the eight victims. Sources close to Sandusky's defense say the defense is unsure whether victims 9 and 10 will testify. Borough officials say they'll have security on hand for as long as the hearing goes.
"The word that we've received is [to] plan on an all day into the evening hearing," and that, "The judge from our feedback is going to try to keep it to a one long day hearing as a last resort they would work into a second day, maybe possibly just the morning," said Ralph Stewart, the Bellefonte Borough manager.
If the hearing continues into Wednesday Stewart says the parking and traffic restrictions will continue until the hearing is over.
The former Penn State defensive coach will face his alleged child sex abuse victims in court, as they prepare to testify in a preliminary hearing Tuesday morning.
Sandusky's second arrest, last week, brought the total number of victims up to ten. Sandusky is looking at more than 50 charges surrounding the child sex abuse scandal that rocked Penn State last month after a grand jury report went public, detailing dozens of charges of sexual assaults and molestation.
When Sandusky walks into Bellefonte court Tuesday morning, as expected, he'll be surrounded by people watching his every move.
For the past three weeks, plans have been developing to make sure people in and around the courthouse are safe.
Local, state and federal officials are in Bellefonte to provide security because of the massive attention the case is getting from media, visitors and people in the area.
The FBI, state police and local officials will coordinate operations outside the courthouse. Monday night and Tuesday morning added security forces, including police will be moving into the area.
Increased security will be there to prevent a disaster, like a bomb threat or any act to harm someone involved in the case.
On Monday night, detour signs are being placed. Public works projects have been shut down, also, parking around the courthouse is being restricted. Road closures include, Allegheny Street from Howard to Bishop Streets, as well as, High Street and others near the courthouse will be affected.
Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola has prepared for the eight victims. Sources close to Sandusky's defense say the defense is unsure whether victims 9 and 10 will testify. Borough officials say they'll have security on hand for as long as the hearing goes.
"The word that we've received is [to] plan on an all day into the evening hearing," and that, "The judge from our feedback is going to try to keep it to a one long day hearing as a last resort they would work into a second day, maybe possibly just the morning," said Ralph Stewart, the Bellefonte Borough manager.
If the hearing continues into Wednesday Stewart says the parking and traffic restrictions will continue until the hearing is over.
