Some Bellefonte Businesses Hope Trial is Moved
By: Jeff Preval
Updated: June 13, 2012
BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY - A Centre County commissioner has sparked recent chatter about the Jerry Sandusky trial possibly being moved out of Bellefonte. On Monday, commissioner Steve Dershem told WTAJ that he'll urge the state's court system to consider having it moved.
Some Bellefonte business owners say they'd prefer to have the trial scheduled out of the county.
Dershem, the board's chair says Bellefonte could handle the trial, but the downtown area should not be shutdown to accommodate it. Some business owners in the area say the Sandusky trial would hurt business.
"It's just something I've always wanted to do," said Vickey Emmel, on the topic of opening up a small business. She says it's been a dream of hers for 20 years. Her dream came true two years ago when she opened Children'z Clothing Plus, in the downtown area. She remembers what it was like Dec. 13 for Jerry Sandusky's preliminary hearing.
"I had no business for two days because people didn't come into town because there would be no parking," said Emmel.
Police bagged parking meters. Live trucks took dozens of spots. Emmel works on South Allegheny Street, which was shutdown for the hearing. She hopes the trial is moved because it would keep her doors open.
"This is my livelihood I need to be open to have business to survive," she said.
Carol Walker, owner of Victorian Rose says, "Closing us all down for business is not a good idea, we struggle to be here everyday, all year long."
A request to change the trial location would have to come from attorneys. Joe Amendola, Jerry Sandusky's lawyer tells WTAJ in a statement that he, "understands [the business] perspective from a financial and logistical standpoint. But, from Jerry's perspective, we believe very strongly Jerry can get a fair trial in Centre County with county residents and we hope that his trial will be held here among his peers."
"I'm not suggesting that it be moved, that's well outside my paygrade, I'm very concerned that if we do have that magnitude of trial [...] we can't just shutdown the town of Bellefonte," said Dershem.
Because there's no indication how long a trial could last, Emmel says if it's held in Bellefonte, she's afraid she could lose her business.
Dershem says there's been no discussion with the courts to consider moving the trial. Sandusky's next court date is March 22.
Some Bellefonte business owners say they'd prefer to have the trial scheduled out of the county.
Dershem, the board's chair says Bellefonte could handle the trial, but the downtown area should not be shutdown to accommodate it. Some business owners in the area say the Sandusky trial would hurt business.
"It's just something I've always wanted to do," said Vickey Emmel, on the topic of opening up a small business. She says it's been a dream of hers for 20 years. Her dream came true two years ago when she opened Children'z Clothing Plus, in the downtown area. She remembers what it was like Dec. 13 for Jerry Sandusky's preliminary hearing.
"I had no business for two days because people didn't come into town because there would be no parking," said Emmel.
Police bagged parking meters. Live trucks took dozens of spots. Emmel works on South Allegheny Street, which was shutdown for the hearing. She hopes the trial is moved because it would keep her doors open.
"This is my livelihood I need to be open to have business to survive," she said.
Carol Walker, owner of Victorian Rose says, "Closing us all down for business is not a good idea, we struggle to be here everyday, all year long."
A request to change the trial location would have to come from attorneys. Joe Amendola, Jerry Sandusky's lawyer tells WTAJ in a statement that he, "understands [the business] perspective from a financial and logistical standpoint. But, from Jerry's perspective, we believe very strongly Jerry can get a fair trial in Centre County with county residents and we hope that his trial will be held here among his peers."
"I'm not suggesting that it be moved, that's well outside my paygrade, I'm very concerned that if we do have that magnitude of trial [...] we can't just shutdown the town of Bellefonte," said Dershem.
Because there's no indication how long a trial could last, Emmel says if it's held in Bellefonte, she's afraid she could lose her business.
Dershem says there's been no discussion with the courts to consider moving the trial. Sandusky's next court date is March 22.
