Sandusky set for sentencing, proclaims innocence

(CBS News) Convicted child sex abuser Jerry Sandusky is professing his innocence ahead of his sentencing Tuesday, more than three months after being convicted of 45 counts of sexual abusing 10 young boys.

Sandusky, a former Penn State assistant football coach, is expected to do what he did not do at his trial, to stand up and profess his innocence. But Monday night, in yet another bizarre twist to this case, he preempted himself with a three-minute audio statement from jail that aired on a Penn State student-run radio station.

Some Sandusky victims to speak at his sentencing

He said in the recording, "They can take away my life, they can make me out as a monster, they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts. My wife has been my only sex partner. That was after marriage."

In addition, Sandusky blamed what amounted to a conspiracy against him.

He said, "A young man who is a dramatic, a veteran accuser and always sought attention started everything. He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won."

He also went on to suggest that his experience could help other children. "Some vulnerable children who could be abused might not be as a result of all the publicity," he said in the recording. "That would be nice, but I'm not sure about it. I would cherish the opportunity to become a candle for others as they have been a light for me."

The 68-year-old Sandusky faces more than 400 years in prison.

A source close to the case tells CBS News Sandusky is now discussing plans to write a book about what he calls "his ordeal," yet state law makes it highly unlikely he will ever profit from it.