Jerry Sandusky case: No pseudonyms, tweets during sex-abuse trial, judge says

(CBS/AP) BELLEFONTE, Pa. - A judge ruled on Monday that alleged victims of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky will have to testify using their real names, and that reporters are not permitted to tweet or use other electronic communications during the trial.

Pictures: Child-sex scandal rocks Penn State

Sandusky, 68, faces 52 counts involving the alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years. He has repeatedly denied these allegations and remains confined at home until his trial.

Lawyers for several of the accusers requested that their clients testify under pseudonyms. The Associated Press reports that Judge John Cleland said although he and lawyers will "cooperate when possible" to protect privacy and personal information, witnesses must use their real names.

"Arguably any victim of any crime would prefer not to appear in court, not to be subjected to cross-examination, not to have his or her credibility evaluated by a jury - not to put his name and reputation at stake," the judge wrote. "But we ask citizens to do that every day in courts across the nation."

Cleland also denied a request by Sandusky's lawyer to order prosecutors to turn over information they collected about potential jurors, because he said there wasn't enough evidence to warrant a hearing on the issue. He also notes that prosecutors said they're only doing what a diligent defense attorney would do.

The judge had previously said he would allow electronic communication while court is in session, but withdrew permission on Friday and clarified on Monday that transmission of proceedings in session by phone, radio, TV, or "advanced communication technology" are prohibited, the AP reports.

Jury selection for Sandusky's trial begins tomorrow.

Complete coverage of the Penn State sex abuse scandal on Crimesider