Jerry Sandusky, former Penn State coach convicted of sex abuse, seeks new trial after victim recants

Disgraced former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky appeared virtually in court on Tuesday and told a judge he understood his legal team’s move in seeking a new trial in federal court after one of his accusers recanted. Tainted victim testimony led to Sandusky’s wrongful conviction for child sexual abuse, according to his lawyers, who believe their client’s best chances for freedom now come from moving the case from the Pennsylvania system to a U.S. courthouse. But in moving this case to another court, Sandusky’s legal team surrenders its right to litigate in state court claims that Victim No. 10, identified in court papers as “R.R.,” was allegedly manipulated into misleading testimony. Sandusky, 82, an inmate at State Correctional Institution (SCI) Laurel Highland serving a term of at least 30 years, was convicted after multiple young men testified they were sexually abused by the former assistant coach as boys. Sandusky used his good name in the community and his nonprofit, The Second Mile, to meet victims, prosecutors have said. Judge Maureen Skerda asked Sandusky, who appeared via video feed from prison, if he understood his legal team’s actions and he confirmed that he did. “I’m making this decision on advice of counsel,” Sandusky said, according to the Associated Press. Judge Skerda later ruled that “the Court being satisfied that Mr. Sandusky has been fully informed of his rights and understood Counsel’s action in withdrawing the claim concerning R.R.’s recantation, the Court hereby” dismisses the coach’s state court bid for post-conviction relief. His appellate attorneys claim that damaging testimony from several alleged victims have been subsequently shown to be problematic, particularly Victim 10, “R.R.” That victim came forward with “new evidence” on June 30, 2025, that he had been “approached by state investigators who told me that my role was critical to stopping a predator,” according to Sandusky’s defense team. Prosecutors told Victim 10 “other alleged victims were reluctant to come forward and repeatedly encouraged me to believe that Mr. Sandusky had molested me-despite my lack of clear or certain memory of any such conduct,” according to the recanting witness has said, Sandusky’s lawyers have said. “I was told — both directly and indirectly — that trauma may have fragmented my memory, and that I could safely affirm details I did not fully recall. I was assured this was common and even expected,” according to a statement from R.R. Sandusky’s attorney claimed that “R.R. maintained that his account changed over time as ‘the result of emotional strain, repeated exposure to leading questions, intense investigative pressure and psychological manipulation.’ ” Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday called Sandusky a “child predator” and dismissed the coach’s legal maneuvers. “This was yet another attempt by a convicted child predator to avoid accountability and escape punishment for years of abuse he perpetrated under the veil of a child-empowerment program,” AG Sunday said in statement on Tuesday afternoon. “I commend our litigation team for challenging this alleged recantation by one victim, and putting on record the voluminous evidence that debunks this highly-suspect claim by defense counsel.” Sandusky was convicted on June 22, 2012, on 45 sex abuse-related counts and then sentenced to 30 to 60 years behind bars. The scandal led to Penn State firing Sandusky’s boss, legendary coach Joe Paterno, for his alleged failure to take appropriate action against the longtime defensive coordinator. A statue of Paterno, who led the Nittany Lions went 409-136-3 in 46 seasons on the Penn State sideline, was removed from the football stadium in the midst of the Sandusky reckoning. But in the years since the scandal and Paterno’s death, the coach’s supporters have gained traction in re-evaluating his legacy. The university recently opened the “Paterno Family Football Experience Room” inside Beaver Stadium, calling it a “permanent museum experience celebrating more than a century of Penn State Football history.” If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, call the National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. The hotline, run by the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN), can put you in contact with your local rape crisis center. You can also access RAINN’s online chat service at