One of Jerry Sandusky’s accusers is expected to recant his testimony after previously claiming the former Penn State football assistant coach sexually abused him.
Sandusky, 82, was convicted in 2012 on 45 of 48 counts related to his sexual abuse of 10 boys from 1994 to 2009, though more than 30 have come forward accusing him of abuse. Charges included involuntary deviate sexual intercourse, indecent assault and endangering the welfare of children. He was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison.
One of the alleged victims, known as Victim 10, claimed prosecutors coached him to steer his testimony during trial, according to a sworn affidavit obtained by ABC News. Victim 10 also alleges prosecutors told him his trauma may have resulted in a “fragmented” memory.
“Throughout the pretrial process, I was told — both directly and indirectly — that trauma may have fragmented my memory, and that I could safely affirm details I did not fully recall. I was assured this was common and even expected,” he reportedly claimed in the affidavit.
Sandusky will now return to court on September 8 for an evidentiary hearing where the alleged victim will say that he was not actually abused by the former coach. Prosecutors are also expected to address the claims he made in the affidavit.
Sandusky’s defense team is seeking a new trial, claiming Victim 10’s estranged wife can testify that he was never sexually abused. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office, however, does not appear moved by the alleged testimony.
“Pondering what she thinks may or may not have really happened to [Victim 10] when he was 10 years old, or any other Sandusky child victim for that matter, is irrelevant and inadmissible,” the office said in response to the defense’s motion.
Sandusky, for his part, has continued to claim he is innocent as he remains incarcerated in Pennsylvania.
“I never ever in my life ever thought about molesting anybody,” Sandusky told the Daily Mail from Laurel Highlands State Correctional Institution in 2024.
He added, “I was accused of heinous crimes, which I’ve never committed. My wife was my only partner in sex, and that was after marriage.”
Sandusky also said he believes he was “wrongfully convicted by inconsistent, perjured testimony,” claiming his alleged victims were “coached and led” to lie, and were “incentivized by money.”
He alleged the prosecution used repressed memory therapy, which involves using hypnosis to uncover memories, and would not, in his opinion, stand up in court today.
“We now have evidence that there was repressed memory therapy, and we have an expert who’s willing to testify about how to analyze what happened,” Sandusky said. “Their stories changed. The point is that every last one changed.”
