Topics

More

Sandusky On Ziegler Podcast Claiming His Innocence: ‘It Gives Us Hope’

A letter seemingly written by Jerry Sandusky pledged support for a new podcast series claiming his innocence on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

The letter was posted on Twitter by documentary filmmaker and longtime Sandusky Scandal critic John Ziegler, who’s in the middle of publishing a long-form podcast covering the scandal, Joe Paterno, Penn State’s handling of the case, and more. Sandusky reportedly described the podcast as a “pleasant surprise” and said its publication gives him and his legal team hope as he seeks to prove his innocence moving forward.

“Many people have commented positively. How much difference it makes remains to be seen,” the letter reads. “More people will recognize a wrongful conviction. We cling to the hope that the court will.”

Ziegler said that Sandusky has followed the podcast indirectly while in prison, mainly through transcriptions from his wife, Dottie. Ziegler told Onward State that the letter in question was the first time he’d heard from Sandusky since the podcast began. He interviewed Sandusky twice in prison nearly a decade ago.

“This was kind of Jerry getting back in touch, I guess,” Ziegler said Wednesday afternoon. “I already knew he’d been consuming the podcast in whatever way he can in prison, but I thought it was an interesting note.”

Sandusky was resentenced on 45 counts of child sexual abuse in November 2019 to serve 30 to 60 years in state prison — the same sentence he originally received in 2012. Since then, he has maintained his innocence and made requests through his legal team for a new trial without success.

Ziegler’s 19-episode podcast, “With The Benefit Of Hindsight,” premiered in April and now publishes two lengthy episodes each week. Previously posted entries have covered Ziegler’s skepticism surrounding Mike McQueary’s testimony, the Paterno family, media coverage of the case, and Penn State administrators, among other subjects.

“With The Benefit Of Hindsight” is available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Additional interviews are published on Ziegler’s own website, FramingPaterno.com.

Your ad blocker is on.

Please choose an option below.

Sign up for our e-mail newsletter:
OR
Support quality journalism:
Purchase a Subscription!

About the Author

Matt DiSanto

Matt proudly served as Onward State’s managing editor for two years until graduating from Penn State in May 2022. Now, he’s off in the real world doing real things. Send him an email ([email protected]) or follow him on Twitter (@mattdisanto_) to stay in touch.

A New Era: Jay Paterno Reflects On College Football In New Book

Paterno’s book is available on Amazon Prime.

[Photo Story] Autumn on Campus: A Worm’s Eye View

Our neighborhood-friendly worm led us on a self-guided fall tour of campus.

‘I Want To Play A Lot Of Guys’: Penn State Hoops Utilizing Depth Early

Veteran Nick Kern Jr. came off the bench in the Nittany Lions’ season opener.

113kFollowers
164kFollowers
62.3kFollowers
4,570Subscribers
Sign up for our Newsletter