Cleland Grants Extension for Sandusky

Judge John Cleland today granted a request from Jerry Sandusky’s lawyers for an extension to file briefs in support of an effort to have his convictions on child sex abuse charges overturned, or be granted a new trial.

Defense lawyers now have until December 14 to file their briefs. A hearing on the matter has been scheduled for January 10 in Bellefonte.

Sandusky, who is serving a 30- to 60-year prison sentence, which is says is excessive, says hearsay evidence was improperly allowed during his trial and there wasn’t enough other evidence for convictions.

His lawyer asked for the extension because lead appeals attorney Norris Gelman recently had a heart attack and open-heart surgery, and could not start work on the case until mid-October.

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