Defenders of 'Victim 1' Speak Up
By: Jeff Preval
Updated: May 15, 2012
LOCK HAVEN, CLINTON COUNTY - Some community leaders in the Lock Haven area say they're rallying behind in support of "Accuser 1" or alleged "Victim 1" in the grand jury report, as Jerry Sandusky's trial approaches.
Community members in this area are defending the young man after court documents filed showed that the man may have a criminal background.
People who know the young man, including his attorneys, Slade McLaughlin and Michael Boni say Victim 1 is ready to testify against the former Penn State defensive coach and tell his story of being sexually abused.
WTAJ has talked to people who want to remain anonymous who say that the young man's testimony is credible. Monday we heard from the mayor of Beech Creek borough in Clinton County, Justin Kline who says he believes the young man's story and that Victim 1 is a good person.
"[He] always seemed like a nice kid, the community wants to know what's going on and find out the truth behind it and obviously rally behind him if the allegations are true," said Kline.
At 28-years-old, Kline says he knows the young man through Little League baseball and stays in contact with people who know Victim 1.
"He's a pretty good student, he was always in school, people he hung out with were not the bad crowd so, as far as I knew he's a good student," said Kline.
Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola claims Accuser 1, "bragged that he brought down Penn State," in November. Sandusky's defense team also says the man's credibility may be vulnerable at trial because he has a criminal background.
Accuser 1 is the first person to come forward and say he was sexually abused by Sandusky. The attorney general's office says the former Penn State defensive coach and the boy had sex Sandusky's College Township home. Prosecutors claim that the Second Mile founder bought the boy gifts, including computers and clothes.
When the grand jury report was released in November, the boy transferred from Central Mountain High to a charter school because he was being harassed.
It's unclear what if anything may be on Accuser 1's criminal record. McLaughlin says the man would've testified at Sandusky's preliminary hearing in December if it wasn't waived.
Sandusky's trial is expected to begin June 5.
Community members in this area are defending the young man after court documents filed showed that the man may have a criminal background.
People who know the young man, including his attorneys, Slade McLaughlin and Michael Boni say Victim 1 is ready to testify against the former Penn State defensive coach and tell his story of being sexually abused.
WTAJ has talked to people who want to remain anonymous who say that the young man's testimony is credible. Monday we heard from the mayor of Beech Creek borough in Clinton County, Justin Kline who says he believes the young man's story and that Victim 1 is a good person.
"[He] always seemed like a nice kid, the community wants to know what's going on and find out the truth behind it and obviously rally behind him if the allegations are true," said Kline.
At 28-years-old, Kline says he knows the young man through Little League baseball and stays in contact with people who know Victim 1.
"He's a pretty good student, he was always in school, people he hung out with were not the bad crowd so, as far as I knew he's a good student," said Kline.
Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola claims Accuser 1, "bragged that he brought down Penn State," in November. Sandusky's defense team also says the man's credibility may be vulnerable at trial because he has a criminal background.
Accuser 1 is the first person to come forward and say he was sexually abused by Sandusky. The attorney general's office says the former Penn State defensive coach and the boy had sex Sandusky's College Township home. Prosecutors claim that the Second Mile founder bought the boy gifts, including computers and clothes.
When the grand jury report was released in November, the boy transferred from Central Mountain High to a charter school because he was being harassed.
It's unclear what if anything may be on Accuser 1's criminal record. McLaughlin says the man would've testified at Sandusky's preliminary hearing in December if it wasn't waived.
Sandusky's trial is expected to begin June 5.
Comments
I don't believe this one bit, not one word of it. That stinken Jerry is just looking for a way out and something to change the fact what he really is.
Dorothy W.
May 15, 2012 at 9:04 pm
For the sake of Penn State players, maybe it will end soon. When you see sites like:
http://SeaOfWhite.com
http://americansfortruth.com/2011/11/10/labarbera-how-many-boy-victims-of-penn-state-
homosexual-predator-jerry-sandusky-will-end-up-thinking-they-are-%E2%80%98gay%E2%80%99/
http://deadspin.com/jerry-sandusky/
One never knows.
That Sea Of White web site is really taking it to them. Sea Of white refers to Penn State
fans dressing in white at the games.Sea Of White Penn State fans don't like it very much.
Zack L.
May 14, 2012 at 9:39 pm
