Full Breakdown
Jerry Sandusky Moves to Cancel September 8 Evidentiary Hearing and Pursue Federal Appeal
9/4/2026, 2:43:55 PM
Core Event: Request to Cancel Hearing and Shift to Federal Court
Lawyers for former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky filed a motion asking the Centre County court to cancel the evidentiary hearing scheduled for September 8. The hearing was to consider a recantation by one of the original accusers, identified as Ryan Rittmeyer (Victim 10). In the same filing, Sandusky’s team indicated that the defense will instead seek relief in federal court, arguing that state judges have already formed opinions about the case. A status conference has been set for the following Friday to discuss the request.
Background & Context: 2012 Conviction and Recent Recantation
Sandusky, 82, was convicted in June 2012 on 45 counts of sexual abuse involving 10 boys and sentenced to 30 to 60 years in the State Correctional Institution at Laurel Highlands. The scandal led to the firing of head coach Joe Paterno, the resignation of Penn State President Graham Spanier, NCAA sanctions, and more than $100 million in settlements to victims.
In a signed affidavit dated June 30, 2025, Rittmeyer asserted that he had “no clear or certain memory” of abuse when first interviewed by Pennsylvania State Police and that investigators repeatedly encouraged him to reconsider his recollection. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General described the recantation as “highly suspect.”
Data & Statistics
- Conviction: 45 criminal counts (out of 48 originally charged).
- Sentence: 30 to 60 years, effectively a life term.
- Civil settlements: over $100 million paid by Penn State to alleged victims.
- Recantation affidavit: filed June 30, 2025.
Official Statements & Responses
- The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office issued a statement calling Rittmeyer’s recantation “highly suspect” and warned that the defense’s change of course could be withdrawn.
- In a recorded interview obtained by ESPN, Sandusky expressed no confidence in a fair hearing in Centre County and emphasized his intention to pursue federal relief.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- OnwardState reported that no withdrawal motion or court order had yet appeared in public Centre County records, while other outlets (e.g., WJACTV) indicated that Sandusky’s attorneys had already filed paperwork to cancel the hearing.
- Several sources note that Sandusky’s team plans to file a federal petition, but no filing has been confirmed in court documents as of the latest reporting.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In federal court, every one of those issues can be heard together by judges who have not already made up their minds about me. … I need to get there as fast as possible,” — Jerry Sandusky, assistant football coach
- “Over the years I have brought 15 serious issues before Pennsylvania’s courts, each one showing I deserve a new trial,” — Jerry Sandusky, assistant football coach
What's Next
The Centre County judge will hold a status conference on the upcoming Friday to consider Sandusky’s request to cancel the September 8 hearing. If the motion is granted, the defense is expected to file a petition for federal post-conviction relief, where issues such as alleged prosecutorial misconduct and the recantation will be raised. No specific deadline for the federal filing has been disclosed.
