Decorum order outlining media rules issued for Sandusky hearing

Senior Judge John M. Cleland, the trial judge appointed to handle matters related to the sex abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Gerald A. Sandusky, has issued a decorum order outlining the rules of conduct for the media and public during the preliminary hearing.

The hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13 in Bellefonte, Pa.

The order outlines rules for courthouse coverage and provides instructions for reporters and members of the public who will be attending the preliminary hearing. Instructions for obtaining credentials to view the hearing are also included in the order.

Among other things, the order, which has been posted on the Centre County website, states that credentialed reporters will be admitted to the courtroom before the general public. No one will be admitted after 8:15 a.m. unless authorized by the sheriff. There will be no photographic, videographic or recording devices of any kind allowed. But there will be pool video available. Cell phones will be permitted but turned off and out of sight.

The first 100 seats will be reserved for the media. There will be a satellite office available for other media who were not among the first 100. This office will have a closed circuit television broadcast.