Jerry Sandusky Hearing: Lack of Plea Talks Proves Defense Is Confident in Case

With just one day until former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky will face his accusers, defense lawyer Joe Amendola said they are not considering any plea deals before the hearing, according to the Associated Press.

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"We plan to proceed with Jerry's hearing, and Jerry is looking forward to the opportunity to face his accusers," lawyer Joe Amendola told The Associated Press on Monday.

Amendola said there had been no plea negotiations, and he wouldn't say if he would call Sandusky to testify.

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Despite a mountain of evidence in the Grand Jury report, Sandusky has continued to maintain his innocence. By going into the first major court appearance without even a hint of plea discussions, there would seem to be some confidence on the side of the defense.

The hearing will be a pressure-packed situation, with the accusers making their cases in front of a public audience for the first time. It's a chance for Amendola and Sandusky to see how well the alleged victims will hold up when the spotlight is shining brightly.

An inconsistent story from Mike McQueary, who reportedly witnessed one of the attacks, has been a help to Sandusky's case. The defense will probably find out a little bit more about its chances of building a strong case on Wednesday.

The 67-year-old Pennsylvania native understands he's already been found guilty in the court of public opinion, so he's been trying to tell his side of the story. He's spoken with NBC's Bob Costas and the New York Times in an attempt to clear the air.

While it's unclear if those interviews will do him any good, Sandusky doesn't have much to lose by speaking out. However, he stands to lose a lot if the case goes to trial and he's found guilty.

But, at least for now, the defense doesn't seem phased by that possibility. Due to their openness since the scandal broke and firm stance of letting the hearing go on, it gives off the vibe that Amendola has a straightforward plan of attack. as so to appear like Sandusky has nothing to hide.

The AP report states that there is a high probability that the case goes to a trial due to the low standards to meet Wednesday's requirement. It will be interesting to see if the defense changes its tune at that point.

In the short term, though, Amendola and Sandusky are steadfast in giving off a sense of confidence.