Judge in Sandusky case orders release of certain records, grants motions to quash subpoenas in other circumstances

The judge overseeing the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case in central Pennsylvania issued a mixed ruling May 10 regarding subpoenas served by the defense on various schools and organizations.

In his order, Judge John M. Cleland granted in part and denied in part motions by the Mifflin County School District, Keystone Central School District and Bald Eagle School District, which had sought to quash the subpoenas against them that had earlier been issued by defense attorney Joseph Amendola.

Cleland ordered the school districts to furnish records involving certain alleged victims’ behavioral health and school disciplinary records, psychological and psychiatric treatment records and investigative reports involving a complaint of harassment and stalking concerning Victim 1.

At the same time, Cleland wrote in his order that to the extent that the subpoenas seek any other information, the school districts’ motions to quash would be granted.

In the same order, Cleland also partially granted and partially denied the motion to quash that had been filed by Juniata College.

The judge ordered the educational institution to deliver to Amendola a copy of the employment background investigation requested in the defense subpoena, but ordered the redaction of names and any personal identifying information of the investigator or any person interviewed in the course of preparing the report.

The balance of the Juniata College motion to quash is to be granted, Cleland wrote.

Cleland also granted in part and denied in part a motion to quash that had been filed by The Second Mile, the charitable organization that benefits disadvantaged youth that was founded by Sandusky, the former Penn State University assistant football coach who was arrested late last year and charged with molesting 10 underage boys over a multiple-year period.

Cleland ordered The Second Mile to turn over to Sandusky’s attorney all complaints filed by any person identified in the subpoena for any misconduct or inappropriate actions by Sandusky’s accusers.

The judge also told The Second Mile it would have to provide to the defense team any report or other documentation involving any internal investigation regarding Sandusky’s conduct undertaken in response to such complaints.

“This is not intended to include any currently ongoing investigation directed at institutional policies and practices,” the order states.

Cleland also ordered the charitable organization to turn over a guest list containing the names of guests Sandusky had invited to his retirement party.

To the extent that Amendola’s subpoena seeks additional information from The Second Mile, the motion to quash would be granted, Cleland wrote.

Sandusky, 68, was the former defensive coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions. He was charged with multiple counts of child sex-abuse in November of last year.

Trial is expected to begin in early June.

Sandusky is on home confinement at his residence in Centre County.