Sandusky judge orders defense attorneys to not share evidence with media, outsiders

The judge who oversaw the Jerry Sandusky child sex-abuse case has ordered attorneys

involved in the high-profile trial to stop sharing evidence with those not directly involved in the case.

In a June 26 order, Common Pleas Court John M. Cleland stated that no material provided by prosecutors to defense attorneys shall be provided to “any person or entity not directly involved in the defense of the Defendant’s criminal prosecution.”

Cleland wrote that such a protective order is required to assure the integrity of ongoing criminal investigations and to protect the privacy of victims who testified during Sandusky’s criminal trial, which ended with a guilty verdict against the former Penn State assistant football coach late last week.

Sandusky, 68, was found guilty on 45 of the 48 counts of child sex-abuse against him. He was charged with molesting 10 underage boys over a 15-year time period.

Toward the end of his trial, one of Sandusky’s adopted sons, Matt, who was not one of the victims identified in the grand jury report that led to Sandusky’s arrest, gave an interview to state police in which he alleged that he, too, had been molested by Sandusky.

NBC ended up airing portions of the taped police interview.

That leak is believed to be the basis for Cleland’s order, which also requires Sandusky’s defense team to provide the court, within 10 days, with a sworn statement detailing any trial materials that may have been provided to those not directly involved with the case.

Matt Sandusky’s attorney told local media that he did not authorize the release of his client’s taped interview with police. It remained unclear how NBC obtained the material.

Sandusky, who was the longtime defensive coordinator for the Penn State Nittany Lions football team, was arrested in November of last year following a grand jury presentment.

He is currently being housed at the Centre County, Pa. jail awaiting sentencing. Sandusky faces more than 400 years in prison for his crimes.

Following the guilty verdict, Judge Cleland granted a motion by prosecutors to revoke bail, ensuring that Sandusky remains behind bars prior to sentencing, which is expected to take place in about 90 days.