Sandusky due in Pa. court for pretrial arguments

[April 05, 2012]  BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- Jerry Sandusky's request to have child sexual abuse charges against him dismissed and other pretrial disputes are expected to be debated before a Pennsylvania state judge, two months before the retired Penn State assistant coach is scheduled to go on trial.

The hearing Thursday at the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte could cover a range of issues, from whether to allow prosecutors to use items from a search of Sandusky's home to whether Sandusky should be given more information about the details of the allegations.

"We anticipate a lot of legal arguments and little testimony, with the judge reserving a decision on the major issues," said Sandusky's defense attorney, Joe Amendola. He said Sandusky was expected to attend.

In a catch-all pretrial motion filed last month, Amendola argued some charges were not specific enough, there was not enough evidence in some cases, and the statute of limitations may have expired for others.

Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years. He is confined to home while awaiting trial and has repeatedly denied the charges.

Both sides agree that prospective jurors should be questioned individually, and sequestered during the trial now set to begin June 5, although Judge John Cleland has not ruled on those matters.

Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office, said Cleland already agreed with Sandusky's request to postpone the trial, which previously had been scheduled for mid-May, and noted the sides agree on the jury issues.

"In general, the purpose of the hearing is to address all the omnibus pretrial motions that were included in the filing from two weeks ago, which we responded to," Frederiksen said.

[Associated Press; By MARK SCOLFORO]

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