The Latest: Sandusky appeal hearing resumes later this month

BELLEFONTE, Pa. – The latest on an appeals hearing for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky (all times local):

3:20 p.m.

The first day of an appeals hearing for Jerry Sandusky is over, after the former Penn State assistant coach insisted he is innocent of child molestation charges, and his lawyers described key decisions that were made before and during his 2012 trial.

Sandusky and two defence attorneys who represented him at trial testified Friday during the proceedings in a county courthouse near State College.

Sandusky is hoping to have his convictions thrown out or to get a new trial. He’s serving 30 to 60 years in prison on a 45-count child sexual abuse conviction.

Among the issues are decisions not to have him testify at trial and how the defence responded to a surprise claim midway through the trial by an adopted son who says Sandusky molested him.

The proceeding is scheduled to continue later this month.

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10:50 a.m.

Jerry Sandusky is making a forceful denial of the child molestation charges for which he’s been convicted and says it wasn’t his idea to waive his right to testify during his 2012 trial.

The former Penn State assistant coach testified for an hour Friday during an appeals hearing in which he’s hoping to have his conviction thrown out or get a new trial.

The 72-year-old Sandusky is disputing the allegations, saying he’s never had oral or anal sex with anyone and finds the thought disgusting.

He says he learned he’d be doing an NBC-TV interview just minutes before it occurred, and that his defence lawyer strongly advised him against taking the stand.

The hearing is scheduled for three days. Sandusky is serving 30 to 60 years in prison for sexual abuse of 10 boys.

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This item has been corrected to show it was sent at 10:50 a.m., not 11:50 a.m.

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9:30 a.m.

Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky has arrived at a courthouse, where he’s expected to testify at an appeals hearing that he was wrongly convicted of sexually abusing 10 boys.

Sandusky had no comment Friday as he was taken into the Centre County Courthouse near State College.

The 72-year-old is arguing he wasn’t properly represented by his legal team during a 2012 trial that ended with a 45-count conviction. He’s serving a 30- to 60-year sentence.

Among the issues are a statement made during the prosecutor’s closing argument and the decision to have Sandusky give a television interview after his arrest.

He is seeking dismissal of the charges or a new trial.

The hearing is scheduled for three days.

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1 a.m.

Jerry Sandusky plans to take the stand and try to prove his claim he was wrongly convicted four years ago of sexually abusing 10 boys.

The former Penn State assistant football coach is expected to testify in a Pennsylvania courthouse on Friday during a Post-Conviction Relief Act hearing that aims to overturn his 45-count conviction.

The 72-year-old Sandusky didn’t testify at his trial in 2012. His lawyer says he expects Sandusky’s testimony to be lengthy.

The presiding judge said in June the hearing will delve into a prosecutor’s closing statement, the decision to let Sandusky give a TV interview after his arrest and other issues.

The hearing is expected to continue on Aug. 22 and Aug. 23.

Sandusky is serving a 30- to 60-year sentence.