Penn State reacts to Jerry Sandusky guilty verdict

(CBS/AP) After a jury found former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky guilty Friday on 45 of 48 counts in his child sex abuse trial, the university that employed him - and drew fire for its handling of abuse accusations - released a statement.

"No verdict," the statement reads, "can undo the pain and suffering caused by Mr. Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing."

Sandusky's arrest in November led the Penn State trustees to fire Joe Paterno as head coach, saying he exhibited a lack of leadership after fielding a report of abuse from assistant coach Mike McQueary. 

Paterno family: Verdict "important milestone"
Jerry Sandusky found guilty in child sex abuse trial

The scandal also led to the ouster of university president Graham Spanier, and criminal charges against two university administrators for failing to properly report suspected child abuse and perjury. The two administrators, athletic director Tim Curley and now-retired vice president Gary Schultz, are fighting the allegations and await trial.

The statement goes on to say that the school accepts "the responsibility to take action on the societal issue of child sexual abuse - both in our community and beyond" and that counseling is offered to Sandusky's victims. It also says the university will invite victims "to participate in a program to facilitate the resolution of claims against the University arising out of Mr. Sandusky's conduct."

According to Reuters, at least one unidentified male has filed a civil suit against Penn State, saying that the school failed to protect him from Sandusky, and legal experts say more suits are likely. 

"The University," the statement reads, "wants to provide a forum where the University can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims' concerns and compensate them for claims relating to the University."

Eight young men testified that they were abused by the former Penn State assistant football coach, and jurors also heard about two other alleged victims through other witnesses.

Sandusky, 68, faces the possibility of life in prison.

[FloridaMomof5]

Penn State, Paterno, McQueary etc...each and everyone of these people chose to protect the business of football before protection our innocent. Shame on all of you! Mr. McQueary you walked away from a child that was being molested. Why? Why? not walk over to that little boy wrap a towel around him and take him away from this monster? I suppose it will be something you will have to live with the rest of our life. There has to be a way to prosecute all that turned a blind eye to this evil.

[flintlock62]

Sandusky wont last long in prison. They don't care much for pedophiles there. It's just a matter of time before he gets his due.

[raymailhot]

Now we see the lawyers and how they can abuse a situation! The deep pockets are going to be scrambling for protection from a sinister monster as bad as jerry!

[1pheasant1]

Paterno and Lynn acted in identical manners, sweeping the crimes under a rug in an attempt to protect their prestigious institutions. Both of them have been exposed as enablers of pedophiles.

[1pheasant1]

Paterno was the equivalent of Monsignor William Lynn.

[raymailhot]

This is true!

[1pheasant1]

Paterno was the equivalent of Monsignor William Lynn. Pennsylvanian double standard (no standards).

[1pheasant1]

Don't forget termination of employment.

[1pheasant1]

by tmn June 23, 2012 1:08 AM EDT

Paterno didn't abuse kids.
****************************************************************
How was Paterno any different than Monsignor William Lynn, a Roman Catholic church official, convicted of child endangerment, in PA yesterday?
In his case, Prosecutors argue that he could have called police or quit the job if efforts to help victims were being stymied.

[1pheasant1]

He could have called police or quit the job if efforts to help victims were being stymied. No different.

[talkin2u924]

CBS producer: You left out that the Head Football coach was also fired. Stop protecting Paterno. It's a fact that this happened as the scandal unfolded. I can't stand when journalists cant do the job properly.

[1pheasant1]

Talkin', but not readin'. Paragraph three: "Sandusky's arrest in November led the Penn State trustees to fire Joe Paterno as head coach, saying he exhibited a lack of leadership after fielding a report of abuse from assistant coach Mike McQueary."

[1pheasant1]

Paterno was the equivalent of Monsignor William Lynn, and should have faced charges of child endangerment.

[christiki295]

I can't believe that Penn State would continue to employ the AD, even as he faces criminal prosecution for protecting Sandusky.
Of course, I also find it odd that Penn State now wants to compensate victims, a mere year or so after it turned a blind eye and deaf ear to repeated complaints about Sandusky.

[twmat311]

Letting Schultz and Curley be the fall guys for the coverup is their shot at staying clean. It's still weak, using the "if we only knew" defense. All the reason Paterno could/should have used his voice and influence; surely he could have made this all known years ago.

[smittyc]

The young coach that turned him in is why I called a guilty verdict. The young man had no ax to grind, consulted with his dad about what he should do. This guy had a conscience, and quite clearly was the only one involved that did have a conscience. The defense put up a good case though, it is quite clear from the recent publicity involving a promising high school football player who was convicted of abusing a minor and served time that financial reward and spitefullness was the goal of this young girl. She recanted what she said and now the guy is going on to play in the pros after society freed him from jail.

[themanfrombrum]

Tear down those shower and locker rooms Sandusky used and build new ones.....they will have too many bad memories for many after all abuse was carried out on the premises of Penn State.