The man at the center of a child sex abuse case that rocked the US college football world waived his preliminary hearing Tuesday, a surprise decision that avoided facing his accusers and moves him toward a trial. Jerry Sandusky's lawyer quickly said the move was a “tactical measure” and not an admission of guilt. “There will be no plea negotiations. This is a fight to the death,” said Joseph Amendola, who repeatedly had said his client was looking forward to facing his accusers. At least some of the 10 accusers had been expected to testify against the former Penn State assistant football coach. Sandusky faces more than 50 charges related to what authorities say were sexual assaults over 15 years on 10 boys in his home, on Penn State property and elsewhere. His waiver was announced as the hearing began Tuesday, where prosecutors would have had to show they have probable cause to bring the case to trial. Sandusky told reporters as he left the courthouse that he would “stay the course” in defending himself. He will waive his next court appearance, an arraignment scheduled for Jan. 11, Amendola said. Sandusky remains under house arrest. Lawyers for the alleged victims said some were relieved they would not have to make their claims in public before a trial, but others said they had prepared themselves to face Sandusky and were left disappointed. Ken Suggs, an attorney for one of the accusers, called Sandusky a “coward” for not facing the young men. Ben Andreozzi, a lawyer representing another accuser, read a statement from his client, who called it the most difficult time of his life. “I can't believe they put us through this until the last second,” the statement read. Deputy Attorney General Marc Costanzo said the amount of publicity generated by Sandusky's attorney made the decision unexpected. He said, however, that Sandusky's decision was not unusual given the strength of the state's case. Sandusky, 67, has said repeatedly that he is innocent and has vowed to fight the case. He has taken the unusual approach of giving high-profile interviews in recent weeks to The New York Times and NBC in an attempt to defend himself.
