Jerry Sandusky Trial: Defense's Juror Requests Will Have Little Impact

Jerry Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, does not want jurors to be brought in from outside the county. His opposition to that makes sense, but it is going to have little impact. It also is probably just a step for him to accomplish a bigger goal. 

Amendola's request was reported by the Associated Press, which comes to us via ABC News: 

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Attorney Joe Amendola filed court documents Wednesday opposing a request by the state attorney general's office to bring in out-of-county jurors.

Amendola said publicity about Sandusky's case has been so pervasive that jurors from other counties will also have been saturated with news coverage. He said there's no better place than Centre County to pick jurors for Sandusky's trial.

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The attorney general made the request due to fears that jurors would have a hard time staying fair and impartial. 

Amendola's request is logical and it makes sense. It is hard to imagine that there will be higher percentage of people being impartial simply by extending the search a few counties. 

And that is the very reason this is going to make little impact one way or the other. It is, however, a stepping stone to something that will make a difference. The following was also in the AP report:

"

Amendola said one solution might be to delay the trial, letting the news coverage "subside" and giving the judge time to determine how to proceed. Amendola said in an email Wednesday that he planned to discuss the idea with prosecutors "to see how everyone feels about it in light of all the media coverage."

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And that is something that will make an impact. Not on the decision, but on the fact that it would allow Sandusky to delay any judgement levied against him. 

A hearing to discuss pretrial issues is scheduled for this Friday.