BELLEFONTE, Pa. _ Former Penn State defensive coordinator and convicted sexual offender Jerry Sandusky's renewed legal effort to have his decadeslong state prison sentence reduced was rejected Tuesday by a Warren and Forest County judge.
Sandusky, who still maintains his innocence of the crimes that changed state law and cost the university more than $100 million, asked President Judge Maureen Skerda to consider lessening the 30- to 60-year state prison sentence she handed down in November.
"He would still have access to children if he were in the public in the future," Skerda said. "Without any understanding or appreciation for the criminal acts committed, it's very difficult for this court to mitigate anything because there's simply no understanding or perception of the crimes."
Sandusky, who was convicted of 45 counts of child sexual abuse, was not at the courthouse during the hearing. He briefly spoke via phone from Laurel Highlands state prison in Somerset County.
Three Sandusky supporters, including his wife, Dottie, were in the courtroom. She also believes her husband is innocent, saying "someday the truth will come out."
Sandusky lawyers Al Lindsay Jr. and Robert Buttner wrote in a six-page motion filed in December that Skerda imposed a "manifestly excessive" sentence and did not consider Sandusky's background, upbringing and "positive impact" on Happy Valley.
Buttner cited Sandusky's "relatively" compliant nature in state prison and the more than five years Sandusky was in solitary confinement. He also acknowledged Sandusky, 76, "will not likely ever see the light of day" while serving his sentence.
The arguments lodged by Sandusky and his lawyers were "bald, general allegations," Senior Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Buck said.
"These are a series of crimes. Thirteen years of criminal conduct is the reason that the court imposed consecutive sentences," Skerda said from the Warren County Courthouse. "We're not talking about one victim and one crime and one instance. This is repeated conduct over a course of years."
After the hearing, Buttner said he was not surprised by Skerda's ruling and called it an "uphill battle."
He and Sandusky have not yet decided if they will appeal her ruling to the state Superior Court. They have one month to do so.
If Sandusky does not appeal, Lindsay said he will further pursue his federal appeal that was filed in October.
"I am pleased the new sentence stays intact," state Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a statement. "As I've said before, justice was achieved for his victims and this chapter is closed, knowing that this predator will remain behind bars for the rest of his life. My office is dedicated to protecting children in Pennsylvania and holding those who hurt them accountable _ no matter how powerful or connected."
