Sandusky Juror Hopes Victims Collect from Civil Lawsuits
By: Jeff Preval
Updated: June 27, 2012
STATE COLLEGE, CENTRE COUNTY - A juror that helped convict Jerry Sandusky of child abuse hopes the victims can now collect from civil lawsuits. Three of Sandusky's victims and one accuser want to stop The Second Mile from transferring its assets.
In May, the charity Sandusky founded, announced it had collapsed from the Sandusky scandal and would send its assets to a charity with offices in Altoona.
"If this can help them get back on their feet and kind of get on the right track I don't see anything wrong with that," said Josh Harper, who was Juror 5 in Sandusky's trial.
Harper hopes the victims can collect and maybe even help other people who have been abused. The Second Mile tells WTAJ that the victims would be able to profit greatly from reserve funds if the victims win their lawsuits.
"Most of those victims came from a pretty rough background and they didn't have a whole lot of money when they were growing up and things to do," said Harper.
Victims three, five and seven who testified during Sandusky's trial want to block the deal and receive money from the civil lawsuits. One accuser, named John Doe A, who lives outside Pennsylvania is also suing the charity. Harper, who was one of 12 Centre County residents to convict Sandusky is speaking up for the victims.
The attorneys objecting to the transfer say The Second Mile is worth more than $6 million. If the $2.5 million transfer was approved, this would reduce the charity's worth. Attorneys want to pick from the larger number through their civil suits.
In this statement, The Second Mile's interim CEO, David Woodle said:
"We have received a copy of the objections filed to the petition and will be reviewing them with our lawyers. As this matter is in litigation, we will have no comment and will respond in court as required. We stand by the statements made in the petition and believe that it is in the best interests of all of the children served and to be served by the programs sponsored by The Second Mile. Of course, our thoughts also are with the victims of the unlawful activities and abuse committed by Mr. Sandusky and the petition is structured to address their circumstances."
Arrow is based in Houston and offers services similar to The Second Mile.
Eventually a judge will have to rule whether the asset transfer is allowed. A date for a hearing has not been set.
In May, the charity Sandusky founded, announced it had collapsed from the Sandusky scandal and would send its assets to a charity with offices in Altoona.
"If this can help them get back on their feet and kind of get on the right track I don't see anything wrong with that," said Josh Harper, who was Juror 5 in Sandusky's trial.
Harper hopes the victims can collect and maybe even help other people who have been abused. The Second Mile tells WTAJ that the victims would be able to profit greatly from reserve funds if the victims win their lawsuits.
"Most of those victims came from a pretty rough background and they didn't have a whole lot of money when they were growing up and things to do," said Harper.
Victims three, five and seven who testified during Sandusky's trial want to block the deal and receive money from the civil lawsuits. One accuser, named John Doe A, who lives outside Pennsylvania is also suing the charity. Harper, who was one of 12 Centre County residents to convict Sandusky is speaking up for the victims.
The attorneys objecting to the transfer say The Second Mile is worth more than $6 million. If the $2.5 million transfer was approved, this would reduce the charity's worth. Attorneys want to pick from the larger number through their civil suits.
In this statement, The Second Mile's interim CEO, David Woodle said:
"We have received a copy of the objections filed to the petition and will be reviewing them with our lawyers. As this matter is in litigation, we will have no comment and will respond in court as required. We stand by the statements made in the petition and believe that it is in the best interests of all of the children served and to be served by the programs sponsored by The Second Mile. Of course, our thoughts also are with the victims of the unlawful activities and abuse committed by Mr. Sandusky and the petition is structured to address their circumstances."
Arrow is based in Houston and offers services similar to The Second Mile.
Eventually a judge will have to rule whether the asset transfer is allowed. A date for a hearing has not been set.
