Sandusky withdraws recantation claim, seeks higher court trial
ESPN • • sports
Key Points:
- Jerry Sandusky appeared via video conference in Centre County Court to withdraw his claim involving a recantation witness, aiming to pursue a new trial effort in a higher court.
- Sandusky agreed to withdraw the recantation claim related to Ryan Rittmeyer, who previously testified that Sandusky sexually abused him, but later recanted his accusations in a written affidavit.
- Sandusky's lawyers withdrew the claim due to the court's refusal to consider additional appeal claims and plan to focus on other issues, including alleged prosecutorial failure to provide exculpatory evidence.
- Sandusky's attorney described withdrawing the recantation claim as a strategic move, citing Pennsylvania case law that disfavors recantation testimony in state court.
- The Pennsylvania Attorney General's Office called the recantation "highly suspect," while Sandusky's legal team continues to assert his innocence and challenge the fairness of the original trial.
