Jerry Sandusky Says He’s a Victim of a Conspiracy

On Monday, Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach found guilty of sexually abusing 10 boys, said he was innocent.

In a taped statement from jail, Sandusky, 68, said he lost his fight against a “well-orchestrated” conspiracy of accusers including “the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers.”

His nearly three-minute statement was aired on Penn State’s student-run station, ComRadio. Sandusky’s attorney’s confirmed the statement was from Sandusky.

"They can take away my life. They can make me out as a monster. They can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart," he said. "In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts."

Sandusky will be sentenced today on 45 counts of child sexual abuse against 10 boys. The range of the sentence has been reported anywhere from 10 to 400 years. His attorneys have said they are focusing on the appeal.

Sandusky has denied the charges against him since the scandal broke last November. It's been widely reported that Sandusky also plans to proclaim his innocence to the judge at his hearing today.

Listen to Sandusky's complete radio statement at psucommedia.com.

Check back with Patch for news about the sentencing later today.

Here’s the transcript of his statement:

"I’m responding to the worst loss of my life. First, I looked at myself. Over and over, I asked why? Why didn’t we have a fair opportunity to prepare for trial? Why have so many people suffered as a result of false allegations? What’s the purpose? Maybe it will help others; some vulnerable children who could be abused, might not be because of all the publicity. That would be nice, but I’m not sure about it. I would cherish the opportunity to become a candle for others, as they have been a light for me.

They could take away my life, they could make me out as a monster, they could treat me as a monster, but they can’t take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner that was after marriage. Our love continues. A young man who was dramatic a veteran accuser, and always sought attention, started everything. He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won. I’ve wondered what they really won: Attention, financial gain, prestige… will all be temporary. Before you blame me, as others have, look at everything and everybody. Look at the preparation for the trial and the trial. Compare it to others.

Think about what happened. Why, and who made it happen? Evaluate the accusers and their families. Realize they didn’t come out of isolation. The accusers were products of many more people and experiences than me. Look at their confidants and their honesty. Think about how easy it was for them to turn on me given the information, attention and potential perks. I never labeled or put down them or their families. I tried and I cared, then asked for the same. Please realize all came to the Second Mile because of issues. Some of those may remain.

We will continue to fight. We didn’t lose the proven facts, evidence, accurate locations and times. Anything can be said. We lost to speculation and stories that were influenced by people who wanted to convict me. We must fight unfairness and consistency and dishonesty. People need to be portrayed for who they really are. We’ve not been complainers. When we couldn’t have kids, we adopted. When we didn’t have time to prepare for a trial, we still gave it our best. We will fight for another chance. We have given many second chances, and now we’ll ask for one. It will take more than our effort. Justice will have to be more than just a word; fairness more than just a dream. It will take others: somebody apolitical with the courage to listen, to think about the unfairness, to have the guts to stand up and take the road less traveled. I ask for the strength to handle everything and willingness to surrender only to God, regardless of the outcome."