Pa. Supreme Court won't consider Sandusky appeal

Jerry Sandusky's latest attempt to overturn his conviction on 45 counts of child sexual abuse was denied Wednesday as the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said it would not hear his appeal.

The former Pennsylvania State University assistant football coach, convicted in 2012 of sexually abusing 10 boys he met through his charity for underprivileged youth, had asked the court to review his case because he said his attorneys were not given adequate time to prepare for his 2012 trial.

His defense team had to review thousands of pages of transcripts and other documents, some of which they said they received just weeks before trial.

Sandusky, 70, also argued that his trial judge should have instructed jurors that they could consider how much time passed before Sandusky's victims reported their abuse, though such an instruction is not required. He also said the judge improperly instructed jurors to weigh evidence of Sandusky's good character against other evidence in the case.

Sandusky's attorney did not return a request for comment.

Sandusky, who lost an earlier Superior Court appeal, is serving a sentence of 30 to 60 years. He has maintained his innocence from the start, as has his wife, Dottie, who has in recent weeks given interviews voicing her continued support and her hope that his convictions would be overturned.

His Centre County trial included testimony from eight men who told jurors in sometimes graphic terms that Sandusky committed assaults against them when they were children, ranging from inappropriate touching to oral sex and rape.

Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane, whose office had asked the high court not to take up the appeal, said she was "very pleased" by the decision.

Sandusky may still appeal his conviction under the state's Post Conviction Relief Act, which could address any new evidence or arguments surrounding his representation. He could also take his case to federal court.

The investigation into Sandusky led to the indictment of three top Penn State officials, including former President Graham B. Spanier, on charges that they conspired to cover up reports that Sandusky was molesting children. All three have said they are not guilty and are awaiting trial.