Why should Joe Paterno receive ANY amount of leeway for his inaction in reporting that a child had been sexually assaulted - and thereby allowing a pedophile to continue? By his own inaction, he opened the door for Sandusky to abuse more young men. No matter how much good Paterno may have done at Penn State, it cannot and does not outweigh the damage he did by doing nothing... The lives he may have affected in a positive way cannot mitigate what he indirectly did in causing many young men and their families heartbreak, anguish, pain, and embarrassment, etc... The consequences of one's actions/inactions can be dire - and Joe Paterno is getting what he deserves.
Al - 12 years ago
Courtesy of uscourts.gov...
33. Your proceedings are secret and must remain secret permanently unless and until the Court decrees otherwise. You cannot relate to your family, to the news or television reporters, or to anyone that which transpired in the Grand Jury room. There are several important reasons for this requirement. A premature disclosure of Grand Jury action may frustrate the ends of justice by giving an opportunity to the person being investigated to escape and become a fugitive or to destroy evidence. Also, if the testimony of a witness is disclosed, the witness may be subject to intimidation, retaliation, bodily injury, or other tampering before testifying at trial. Thirdly, the requirement of secrecy protects an innocent person who may have come under investigation but has been cleared by the actions of the Grand Jury. In the eyes of some, investigation by a Grand Jury alone carries with it a suggestion of guilt. Thus great injury can be done to a person's good name even though the person is not indicted. And fourth, the secrecy requirement helps to protect the members of the grand jury themselves from improper contacts by those under investigation. For all these reasons, therefore, the secrecy requirement is of the utmost importance and must be regarded by you as an absolute duty. If you violate your oath of secrecy, you may be subject to punishment.
34. To insure the secrecy of Grand Jury proceedings, the law provides that only authorized persons may be in the Grand Jury room while evidence is being presented. Only the members of the Grand Jury, the government attorney, the witness under examination, the court reporter, and an interpreter, if required, may be present.
35. If an indictment should ultimately be voted, the presence of unauthorized persons in the Grand Jury room could invalidate it. Particularly remember that no person other than the Grand Jury members themselves or an interpreter necessary to assist a juror who is hearing or speech impaired may be present in the Grand Jury room while the jurors are deliberating and voting. Although you may disclose matters which occur before the Grand Jury to attorneys for the government for use by such attorneys in the performance of their duties, you may not disclose the contents of your deliberations and the vote of any juror even to government attorneys.
A Roman - 12 years ago
the only thing i want to know is how in the world does Mike McQueary still have a job and he witnessed the act being commited. like c'mon seriously i totally understnad that he could have "done more" but to fire him and keep McQueary thats just insulting. if the reports are true im glad JoePa lawyerd up because to fire him alone other people need to be examples of. and as for Jerry his justice will come and for the victims and families my prayers go out to you
Suzie - 12 years ago
This was investigated by police and I believe the states' Attorney's office in 1994 or 1995 when the initial incident that was "witnessed" on campus and it was determined that there was not enough information to go forward with a case, so how can some one other than the authorities who decided this be at fault. Joe did what he needed to do both legally and morally at that time with the information he had. After this Penn State issue this man went on to form a foundation to bring all kinds of victums to his door step, Joe had nothing to do with that. The people that did nothing back then should be resonsible but they don't want that because our current Attorney General (also part of Penn State's board of trustees) was part of that, why is he in yet a better office and now looking like a possible replacement for the school president. This mess is bigger than the football coach, he is the fall guy so that bigger fish can go on and we will blindly think the people in charge handled this. They did not and I blame them not Joe or the student who saw this mess at the time. I believe that if all of us could look back on decisions we made 17 years ago we would all do things differently. So let he who is without blame cast the first stone and none of the people involved would still have their jobs.
Kevin - 12 years ago
Fist let me say that my following comments do not in any way take away how sorry I feel for the boys that were molested. I would like for everyone to put themselves in Joe's position at the time all of this was brought to his attention. Someone walks into your office and tells you that someone you have known and worked closely with for a very long time and that you trusted, also this person was considered as a upstanding citizen of the community, was seen doing a vial act. First would you, could you believe such a thing. Second, what if you called the police immediately and it all turned out to be false. Now, that persons life would be ruined, just by the allegations that were brought out and because of public opinion. That's why we have judges and juries. Joe reported it and it was up to those people to follow through and make sure that this was taken care of the proper way and they FAILED the children. NOT JOE!!
Mike - 12 years ago
Kick around a 84 year old man. I guess now all the victims are OK and ALL the damaged has been heeled by firing Joe. Would they have heeled slower by allowing the season to finish.
Ellen - 12 years ago
Looking at the results of the poll so far, I am shocked that anyone would even consider allowing Joe Paterno or anyone that had any knowledge of this horrific situation to continue in any way at Penn State. It is our responsibility and obligation as adults, parents, teachers, coaches, and a mirage of other people to protect our children. A 10 year old was abused and no action was taken. Shame on anyone who had knowledge of this and didn't bring the abuser to justice. This is a difficult world our children live in and they need everyone to look out for them. The way Penn State handled this is deplorable. I know I certainly will be looking at Penn State in a different light. It just makes me wonder still how Sandusky can be out of jail, walking the streets.
Sue - 12 years ago
Maybe now people will go to Penn State to become broadly educated, instead of to play football. Oh...wait...isn't that why the rest of us go to college?
Nora - 12 years ago
If you support joe pa you either did not read the indictment or you are delusional. He was an enabler and this was covered up for 12 years up in happy valley.
L.B. - 12 years ago
I thought SANDUSKY was the rapist not JOPA everyone acts like he is the one that did this. Why is MCQUEARY still there he was the eye witness! This is a witch hunt against JOPA, I think PENN STATE OFFICALS knew all about this and are trying to save their own butt by hanging the blame on everyone else! Start at the top FIRE all the TRUSTEES and OFFICALS and keep FIRING those people! SHAME ON YOU PENN STATE COLLEGE!
Nora Gregro - 12 years ago
If you support joe pa you either did not read the indictment or you are delusional. He was an enabler and this was covered up for 12 years up in happy valley.
corrupt corbett - 12 years ago
Corbett looked the other way as AG when this happened. His silence makes him complicit in the raping the children. Corbett must be removed from office.
Antonio - 12 years ago
What if Paterno was told by the Board of Trustees, after he reported the alleged incident to the Athletic Director, to keep his mouth shut or it would cost him his job? Which it now has cost Joe his job, since he didn't keep his mouth shut?
Antonio - 12 years ago
Three questions?
1. When was the first time Sandusky was seen abusing a boy?
2. What was done about it?
3. Who was the PA. Attorney General at that time?
kim - 12 years ago
get a life fire everyone
kim - 12 years ago
get a life fire everyone
Tony C - 12 years ago
A grown adult in the shower with a young child 10 years old. A person witnesses this, tells another person this story of the event who happens to be the face and voice of an entire community. The events brought to the attention of the school administrators but nobody calls law enforcement.
Now imagine that it's your child.
Joe, The president of Penn State and every single person that was aware of this that didn't go to the police are just as guilty as Sandusky.
Again, imagine this is your child.
Antonio - 12 years ago
Something stinks with this "Board of Trustees." It doesn't make any sense to fire Paterno this fast without a court decision on the case. When ever this happens to other people of authority, like a policeman, they are put on leave with out pay or on suspension until the verdict is reached. This sounds like a cover up to take the attention away from those who should be gong to jail.
Linda - 12 years ago
Why didn't McQuery get fired or put on the hot seat? Let me see, he sees an act of molestation in progress, and does nothing. I personally don't think it was so hard to conclude that at that moment, who would care about PSU's order of reporting. He needed to pick up his cell phone and IMMEDIATELY call cops so they would have caught this creep red handed, in the act, and gotten proof by taking the boy to the hospital, got DNA evidence, etc. This would have eliminated this entire fiasco, and stopped Sandusky in his tracks. I fault McQuery the MOST of all of these PSU administrators and coaches. Telling someone what you saw the next day is not what I call good citizenship. Every one of us has a moral obligation that if we see something wrong or a crime being committed to alert police. Why would he be required to wait til the next day to tell Paterno, so Paterno could tell the others, etc. By that time it's just heresay - his word against Sandusky. And since the boy didn't speak up right away, that is why it got pushed under the rug. I heard people say McQuery should have rescued the boy. Maybe that would have worked but who knows if Sandusky would have fought him or what - calling the cops immediately would have been the best thing. Paterno got fired because he knew about a crime and when he realized nobody got the cops involved, he ignored it, thus letting this criminal behavior continue and since he was the head coach, it was under his responsibility. If this was a different type of crime, like robbery, murder, etc, would anyone who was a witness, and knew they could call police and have the offender caught red-handed, just walk away and "think about it' til the next day???
pillows - 12 years ago
I think Joe should have been allowed to finish the season. As a former college graduate the colleges usually want you to come to there security with any problems first which Joe P did. Now what i don't understand is why did the PSU Security not do something more like notify the Police. Most colleges and Universities want to handle it with there own security first. I think the PSU security should be held accountable for this also if Joe had to go because he notified them then they should have to go also. PSU football will never ever be the same again they will never find a better coach in this lifetime and i stand by Joe P's decision 100% and they should have left him finish the season then retire. I will never attend another PSU football game.....
Sparky - 12 years ago
I am so sick of reading the comments of the uninformed-demented idiots out there that think they know all of the details surrounding this issue. Simply reading the AG's presentation and listening to all of the BS from the media and anyone else who can get face- time in the media, it is no wonder why all of you imbeciles will espouse anything that others will believe and agree with. I am amazed we haven't heard from the great Rev. Jesse Jackson who always has something to say about everything! Since when has this country moved from its system of criminal justice to allowing anyone - including the morons of society - to become judge/jury and executioner? Plain and simple, McQueary is the key to this whole mess; come on, a 27-year old (ADULT) who eyewitnessed the heinous deed calls his dad and then tells his coach - why didn't the "big boy" (McQueary) call the cops when he saw the little boy being assaulted? Joe wasn't there, he did not witness the alleged assault; yea, Joe could have called the cops on "hearsay"-or better yet, told McQueary to call the cops, but he missed the mark - so sorry. It is too bad for the young kids that were victimized - where was the Centre County DA in all of this? In 1998 there was a case that went to his office, but was kicked-out because he did not think he could prosecute it successfully; NOBODY is accusing him (albeit he has been declared dead) of not having the best interests of the children at the front. The Centre County DA's office should also be front and center here, since they may have had an opportunity to impact Sandusky's alleged actions. Yep, the media pressure pushes the trustees to make decisions that meet the public consensus - its the easy way out for them - and I'll bet good ole Governor Corbett had a lot say about how the trustees voted, as well . Corbett is just as guilty as the rest of them for letting this process go on almost another year; where is the media attention on that fact? All of you Penn State haters (including all of the media maggots) got your wish - now move on to your next conquest - maybe you can take on the federal government and "clean them up" like you just did with Penn State.
Bob - 12 years ago
Ok, Paterno did nothing legally wrong but it was morally, ethically, professionally wrong to allow Sandusky to remain on the job and working with minors when Paterno KNEW the allegations.
As a coach, mentor, and employee of an educational institution, he has a responsibility to go one step beyond the minimum requirement.
No one' s saying Paterno should be in trouble with the law, but his judgment is definitely in question after such lack of action - and judgment is one of the important aspects of his job, which includes OFF the football field decision-making and upholding the higher aspects of being a Penn State employee.
It is a sad commentary when we can watch young people in places in the Middle East take to the streets to protest a dictator, for democracy and lofty, well-intentioned ideals and then American students take to the streets to protect football and coaches who apparently withheld information about a known pedophile attacking little kids. Sickening, as is those commenting here who obviously care more about a college's stats and sports than in what's right for children.
Buck - 12 years ago
What is wrong with you people ?? JOE PATERNO IS NOT THE CRIMINAL HERE!! SANDUSKY is the criminal and one everyone should be outraged at him and the media should be targeting him . Not Paterno.
The PA state attroney general said "Joe Paterno did nothing legally wrong"
Why didn't the graduate assisant coach go to the police instead of going to Paterno that is the question that should be answered. Sandusky was no longer on the coaching staff when he committed the attack on that child in the shower room. So in my opinion The graduate assisant coach should be the one in the fire. He should have went to the police instead of telling Paterno since Sandusky was no longer on the coaching staff.
Michele - 12 years ago
Children are more important than football.
If you need to think about or rationalize this in some way to suit your own needs, there is something wrong with you.
Joe should go, in shame - shame he brought on himself when he cared more about a team playing a game and office politics than in little boys being raped.
Nick - 12 years ago
have any of you PRO Paterno people thought.... how many lives Paterno could have protected from harm if he would have gone the next step after seeing the boys with the PIG.... he reported it it did nothing..... thats when he should have done more....just what would you think of Paterno if one of your children was molested AFTER he made the report. When he SHOULD have gone then to a higher source like the police or something !
Mare - 12 years ago
Typical knee-jerk reaction only AFTER the media outcry!!!! Joe Paterno did what he was suppose to do!!!! HE REPORTED IT UP THE CHAIN! Tar and feather the ASSt. coach who ACTUALLY did the crime! Fire Joe Paterno after 62 years of service to Penn State???!!! REALLY??!!! I smell scapegoat here!!!!!!!
Nick - 12 years ago
I am NO Paterno hater....
But, for any of you to try & give him a pass you are SCREWED UP YOURSELVES ! He did the right thing by reporting it.... BUT HOW COULD HE LIVE WITH HIMSELF WHEN SEEING THE PIG WITH BOYS AFTER THE FACT & ALLOWING HIM ON CAMPUS !!! just shows that some of you are & will always be followers... you Paterno loyalists are a mess & should be ashamed of yourself. I am out of this discussion !
The Board of Trustees reportedly have been trying to get Joe Paterno out of the way, force him to retire, for about five years. All this was to them was a convenient excuse to let him go.
Joe Pa did the right thing, he reported it to the right people. Anything beyond that was overkill. I feel bad for the kid, the assistant coach should fry, but too many people are over-reacting.
Jim - 12 years ago
I do not see the evidence at this point in time to put any responsibility on Paterno. It appears that the incident was properly reported at the time it was brought to light. Once it was reported the responsibility moved to the next official in charge, and that would have been the campus police. It seems that expecting Paterno to follow up is beyond his scope professionally.
I do feel sympathy for the victims, and it seems there are more coming out. This entire incident reeks of cover-up, similar to the Catholic churches involvement in like cases, but no one was expecting the Pope to resign.
Steve G - 12 years ago
Joe Pa did every thing he was legally required to do, while morally he could have done more, since when have morals seemed to matter in this country? They don't seem to matter to the gasbags on Faux Noise, or a certain presidential candidate...
I see stupid people - 12 years ago
Firing Joe is the equivalent of you driving past an accident on the other side of a divided highway and calling 911 to report the accident. The 911 operator fails to call an ambulance and one of the drivers dies. Because you didn't stop and run across the highway and perform CPR, you are charged with involuntary manslaughter.
If you take the time to actually investigate this issue, it was reported many years ago, it was investigated, police were involved and it was left to pass. What is a football coach supposed to do about that? They made Jerry retire. He was NOT convicted of anything, so how can they refuse him access to the campus? That would be illegal. (This is where the victims have some onus, unless of course they were happy with what they got settlement wi$e… see Michael Jackson molestation case)
What about the Janitor who witnessed Sandusky performing oral on a minor. Why isn’t the media clamoring for his firing? Oh, that won't bring up HLN's ratings will it?
About the victims; it took this long to report this again? Really?
The real victims are all the intelligent, educated individuals I this country who are subjected to the sensationalized dribble the media would like you to believe is news. But that’s not enough; we have to be subjected to the senseless reactions of the overly simplistic majority who speak out with no factual basis what so ever except the filtered information presented by the afore mentioned media. It’s no wonder we are number 2 and falling rapidly.
Neil - 12 years ago
If I could ask one question of Joseph Paterno it would be, "would you have acted differently if the witness had reported that the victim was one of your grandchildren"? The expected answer, if the always honest teflon man was under oath, would be "of course". (Without the oath it would probably be "no comment"). But if he answers honestly, then he's a hypocrite. If he answers, "I wouldn't have reacted any differently", then he's a liar. In football betting I believe this would be called a "you pick 'em". It's a great day to be a Penn State hater.
Salt Life - 12 years ago
I applaud the Penn State Board of Trustees for doing the right thing, the only thing they could. Both Paterno and Spanier deserve to be fired and castigated for their moral inaction or lack of sufficient action back in 2002, which allowed a monster to continue to roam free to molest and rape many more innocent State College children in last 9 years. That is just unconscionable and unforgivable. Joe Pa has rightfully lost the respect of millions of people around the country and his football legacy will understandably be severely tainted and tarnished. Actions of Penn State students rioting in support of such a shameful figurehead is likewise appalling.
Nick - 12 years ago
Don't worry people McQueary will not be on the sidelines on Saturday he will be gone... WHY, would anyone THINK Paterno the ENABLER should be allowed to complete the season. Why don't some of you get it ! He did report the incident, he did what he was supposed to do legally. I agree with all that.... Now, when he sees Sandusky on the Campus, on the Football Field ... and at times with small children on the Campus AFTER making the report is what sickens me about Joe & about all of them.... what kind of a man & human being would allow that !!!!!
Kyle - 12 years ago
This does not fall on Joe Paterno, he was told of an incident by another person. He informed his bosses of the incident. If Joe would have went to the Police, everything he said is "HERE SAY", and the police would have been directed to McQueary. This was the duty of the school admin and the TRUSTEES, who would have likely FIRED the first person inside the Penn State Organization who "blew the whistle". The children who were victims of this pervert are the real loss here, there is no question about that. That being said, going for blood on a man that had nothing to do with the issue, and has given 80% of his life to the mental and physical growth of countless college students is a political move to appease the angry, there is no justice in this....
Paul - 12 years ago
Based on current evidence (new stuff's coming out every minute) but is there any evidence proving JoePa knew anything other than what he's said. I too have a hard time believing he didn't know this was going especially during the years Sandusky coached but where's the evidence. Does the Board of Directors know something everyone else doesn't. They've been trying to get rid of him since the mid 2000's with those losing Football teams but now they have bulletproof ammunition(pun). So they fire Joe for not doing enough but McQueary witnesses an actual act he thought was anal sex walked away to tell someone else and still up to this point has a job. Any decent human would've picked up something and clubbed Sandusky over the head.
nicole - 12 years ago
I completely agree the victims should be the ones everyone is concerned about BUT firing Joe is what put the attention on Joe! you can't blame him that he is the main focus, the board and the media made him the main focus. so typical of Americans to judge and already find Joe guilty, you don't truly know the facts and how do you know the Board didn't know about the victims as well, YOU DON'T! all the facts will come out in time, i get so disgusted when people attack and judge so quickly. these boys deserve their voice to be heard now, maybe if you stop the name calling you might actually hear what they have to say! maybe had the Board let him stay on as Coach and retire at the end of the year and waited for the full truth to come out, you know considering he gave his life to that school and all i would think he deserves to judged as guilty when he is actually PROVEN guilty, and maybe then these boys and their horrible, just beyond words what happened to them, would be what we would be talking about with compassion for them!
Huh? - 12 years ago
Dog Bless America, where facts are unimportant and Nancy Grace holds the trials. Shouldn't due process rule? We're any of us there? All you so-called conservatives always decry the media, but, suddenly, the media reports on the timeline of events are wholly accurate. Yes, I read the GJ testimony. Yes, it seems damning. Yes, it appears that JoePa did no do enough, but, at this point, do we really know? Is he being scapegoated by a powerful board that has tried to oust home for years? There are so many who should fall here, but the media is focusing on one man only, and it is not the disgusting serial rapist or the foundation he ran to farm his victims.
I am a 1983 graduate. I am heartbroken and disgusted by this horrendous story, but one man is being vilified by the press so heinously it is probably going to kill him. The story starts with Sandusky. Two Mile knew. Where is their axe and chopping block? The same is true for the entire Board of Trustees, Curley, Schulz, and McQueary. What of the Centre County attorney general's office or the University Police? The only innocence is what was lost by those boys due to a systemic failure of power brokers beyond JoePa to do the right thing. They could have been heroes in 1994, in 1998, and in 2002. Instead, we will forever be Pedophile U.
Glenn Murphy - 12 years ago
He needed to go. This is bigger than football!!
R.S. - 12 years ago
I don't understand why McQueary was not fired since he was the eyewitness. What Joe Paterno knew was only hearsay. He legally did nothing wrong. He went to his superiors, which is exactly what McQueary did, but yet only Joe is taking a hit. I'm more offended by Schultz and Curley, and Spanier who I'm shocked to learn has degrees in sociology and marriage and family therapy. He definitely should have known better. And let's not forget to place blame where blame is due, on SANDUSKY. I barely even hear his name being mentioned anymore and he is the sick man behind all of this fallout. Joe Paterno is simply taking the blame because he is the most well-known figure involved. The whole situation is just entirely heartbreaking in so many ways, and especially for someone who is from central PA and Nittany Lion territory.
Glenn Murphy - 12 years ago
He needed to go. This is bigger than football!!
Huh? - 12 years ago
How was the Catholic Church held accountable? The principal actor in charge of the shuffle of monsters, Herr Benny das Kanalforelle, was promoted to Pope. Of course, to claim divine providence and then drive around in a bulletproof Stuttgart Panzer is the ultimate evidence that religion is just egotistical pipe dreams.
JB - 12 years ago
Yes. When it comes to the safety and well being of a child, no secrets ever can be kept and those covering it up or trying a blind eye, should be held accountable. While all the fame Joe Pa has acquired over the years, his own undoing was his own actions. To all the students rioting on the campus, simply have to put themselves in those children's shoes and then tell me with a straight face that they'd feel it was okay if it was one of them who was abused. To the others who knew, let me face their consequences as well....
Nick - 12 years ago
YES, YES & YES... he should be gone !
he COULD have done more... he knew what happened & CONTINUED to let that "PIG" on his campus up until just the other week ! He was wrong... For all of you who bow to the altar of Jo'Pa he was wrong , an enabler for not doing more ! good riddance to all of them !
Jim - 12 years ago
So he told his boss about what happen to little Billy. What do you tell little Johny
parents why it did not stop after Billy. You shouldn't say poor Joe you should say
Joe why didn't you stop it!
Smitty - 12 years ago
Priests molested young boys and the entire Catholic church was held accountable and the vast majority of the people agreed. A coach at Penn State molests young boys. Should not Penn State be held accountable? Should not the vast majority of the people agree? I say let's stick with a single standard...in this issue as well as in any issue. Are you listening those of you who wish to destroy Herman Cain, while holding other politicians up as heroes?
Mike - 12 years ago
Joe Paterno HAD to go immediately. He did not do enough to protect this little boy and having known that, he is GUILTY of not only judicial law but a higher moral law. How could he continue all these years knowing what happened? Shame on him and his colleagues for plainly thinking more about the institutuion than this innocent little boy. I hope more of them get indicted and even face jail time. It's about time that adults defend children who do not have the courage or insight to do the same. SHAME on Penn State as a whole!!
Kathy Remp - 12 years ago
What I don't understand is how the "witnesses" to these assaults did nothing to stop it immediately. What did they do...stand there and observe. Then report it the next day or seek advice over what to do. Common decency tells you to do whatever possible to stop the attack and rescue the child. Scream, shout, throw something...anything to get the crazy molester away from the child. How these witnesses can live with themselves is beyond me. These grown men should be ashamed of themselves. What if it were their child/grandchild. I suppose they would protect their cronies at all costs...after all friendship comes before common decency.
Ron Schwinger - 12 years ago
This is a no brainer. If something as horrible as a child being molested comes to ones attention, it is our duty to report this issue to our BOSS (as in what Joe did) and then the authorities. Do we really think that we can trust our boss to cover us? That duty is for the benefit of the victims as well as the reporter so something like this doesn't resurface and produce shame. Paterno messed up - simple! The school will always be accused in the back of everyone's mind (potential students, recruited players, parents, charity events, parents of children involved in the university in any manner) to be an unsafe place. The school officials squashed this incident from the get go for revenue purposes of enrollment and sports income from bowl games, etc. They are wrong. Now, PENN STATE will always have a stigma of being an unsafe university. The whole crew involved were trying to protect the university's name and income by not exposing this horrible act on their property. If they would have come clean from the beginning, they (the university and the powers that be of the university) would have been champions for the victims and would have increased their reputation as a safe university. Now, they will go down in history as a culpable criminal in this case. Can you see a Real Sports with Bryant Gumble show on HBO. Or, a documentary in a couple years on HBO. So stupid, so sad, so culpable and so criminal. They all should be indited for not reporting this issue to the authorities. We are all mandatory reporters!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sam - 12 years ago
Why is Mike McQuery still coaching if Joe had to go?
tim - 12 years ago
Even though I voted to allow JoePa to finish the season, I see your point, Dan. The indictment is damning, not only to school officials but also to the campus police who may have prevented some of this abuse in 1998. It suggests justice in this country is a function of who you are, who you know and how much money you have. A sad day for JoePa and Penn State.
Dan - 12 years ago
Even though all the information probably hasn't come to surface, the Board of Trustees had no choice other than to fire Joe Paterno. To allow Joe to be cheered by 110,000 fans on Saturday would have been a slap in the face for the victims and their families.
Why should Joe Paterno receive ANY amount of leeway for his inaction in reporting that a child had been sexually assaulted - and thereby allowing a pedophile to continue? By his own inaction, he opened the door for Sandusky to abuse more young men. No matter how much good Paterno may have done at Penn State, it cannot and does not outweigh the damage he did by doing nothing... The lives he may have affected in a positive way cannot mitigate what he indirectly did in causing many young men and their families heartbreak, anguish, pain, and embarrassment, etc... The consequences of one's actions/inactions can be dire - and Joe Paterno is getting what he deserves.
Courtesy of uscourts.gov...
33. Your proceedings are secret and must remain secret permanently unless and until the Court decrees otherwise. You cannot relate to your family, to the news or television reporters, or to anyone that which transpired in the Grand Jury room. There are several important reasons for this requirement. A premature disclosure of Grand Jury action may frustrate the ends of justice by giving an opportunity to the person being investigated to escape and become a fugitive or to destroy evidence. Also, if the testimony of a witness is disclosed, the witness may be subject to intimidation, retaliation, bodily injury, or other tampering before testifying at trial. Thirdly, the requirement of secrecy protects an innocent person who may have come under investigation but has been cleared by the actions of the Grand Jury. In the eyes of some, investigation by a Grand Jury alone carries with it a suggestion of guilt. Thus great injury can be done to a person's good name even though the person is not indicted. And fourth, the secrecy requirement helps to protect the members of the grand jury themselves from improper contacts by those under investigation. For all these reasons, therefore, the secrecy requirement is of the utmost importance and must be regarded by you as an absolute duty. If you violate your oath of secrecy, you may be subject to punishment.
34. To insure the secrecy of Grand Jury proceedings, the law provides that only authorized persons may be in the Grand Jury room while evidence is being presented. Only the members of the Grand Jury, the government attorney, the witness under examination, the court reporter, and an interpreter, if required, may be present.
35. If an indictment should ultimately be voted, the presence of unauthorized persons in the Grand Jury room could invalidate it. Particularly remember that no person other than the Grand Jury members themselves or an interpreter necessary to assist a juror who is hearing or speech impaired may be present in the Grand Jury room while the jurors are deliberating and voting. Although you may disclose matters which occur before the Grand Jury to attorneys for the government for use by such attorneys in the performance of their duties, you may not disclose the contents of your deliberations and the vote of any juror even to government attorneys.
the only thing i want to know is how in the world does Mike McQueary still have a job and he witnessed the act being commited. like c'mon seriously i totally understnad that he could have "done more" but to fire him and keep McQueary thats just insulting. if the reports are true im glad JoePa lawyerd up because to fire him alone other people need to be examples of. and as for Jerry his justice will come and for the victims and families my prayers go out to you
This was investigated by police and I believe the states' Attorney's office in 1994 or 1995 when the initial incident that was "witnessed" on campus and it was determined that there was not enough information to go forward with a case, so how can some one other than the authorities who decided this be at fault. Joe did what he needed to do both legally and morally at that time with the information he had. After this Penn State issue this man went on to form a foundation to bring all kinds of victums to his door step, Joe had nothing to do with that. The people that did nothing back then should be resonsible but they don't want that because our current Attorney General (also part of Penn State's board of trustees) was part of that, why is he in yet a better office and now looking like a possible replacement for the school president. This mess is bigger than the football coach, he is the fall guy so that bigger fish can go on and we will blindly think the people in charge handled this. They did not and I blame them not Joe or the student who saw this mess at the time. I believe that if all of us could look back on decisions we made 17 years ago we would all do things differently. So let he who is without blame cast the first stone and none of the people involved would still have their jobs.
Fist let me say that my following comments do not in any way take away how sorry I feel for the boys that were molested. I would like for everyone to put themselves in Joe's position at the time all of this was brought to his attention. Someone walks into your office and tells you that someone you have known and worked closely with for a very long time and that you trusted, also this person was considered as a upstanding citizen of the community, was seen doing a vial act. First would you, could you believe such a thing. Second, what if you called the police immediately and it all turned out to be false. Now, that persons life would be ruined, just by the allegations that were brought out and because of public opinion. That's why we have judges and juries. Joe reported it and it was up to those people to follow through and make sure that this was taken care of the proper way and they FAILED the children. NOT JOE!!
Kick around a 84 year old man. I guess now all the victims are OK and ALL the damaged has been heeled by firing Joe. Would they have heeled slower by allowing the season to finish.
Looking at the results of the poll so far, I am shocked that anyone would even consider allowing Joe Paterno or anyone that had any knowledge of this horrific situation to continue in any way at Penn State. It is our responsibility and obligation as adults, parents, teachers, coaches, and a mirage of other people to protect our children. A 10 year old was abused and no action was taken. Shame on anyone who had knowledge of this and didn't bring the abuser to justice. This is a difficult world our children live in and they need everyone to look out for them. The way Penn State handled this is deplorable. I know I certainly will be looking at Penn State in a different light. It just makes me wonder still how Sandusky can be out of jail, walking the streets.
Maybe now people will go to Penn State to become broadly educated, instead of to play football. Oh...wait...isn't that why the rest of us go to college?
If you support joe pa you either did not read the indictment or you are delusional. He was an enabler and this was covered up for 12 years up in happy valley.
I thought SANDUSKY was the rapist not JOPA everyone acts like he is the one that did this. Why is MCQUEARY still there he was the eye witness! This is a witch hunt against JOPA, I think PENN STATE OFFICALS knew all about this and are trying to save their own butt by hanging the blame on everyone else! Start at the top FIRE all the TRUSTEES and OFFICALS and keep FIRING those people! SHAME ON YOU PENN STATE COLLEGE!
If you support joe pa you either did not read the indictment or you are delusional. He was an enabler and this was covered up for 12 years up in happy valley.
Corbett looked the other way as AG when this happened. His silence makes him complicit in the raping the children. Corbett must be removed from office.
What if Paterno was told by the Board of Trustees, after he reported the alleged incident to the Athletic Director, to keep his mouth shut or it would cost him his job? Which it now has cost Joe his job, since he didn't keep his mouth shut?
Three questions?
1. When was the first time Sandusky was seen abusing a boy?
2. What was done about it?
3. Who was the PA. Attorney General at that time?
get a life fire everyone
get a life fire everyone
A grown adult in the shower with a young child 10 years old. A person witnesses this, tells another person this story of the event who happens to be the face and voice of an entire community. The events brought to the attention of the school administrators but nobody calls law enforcement.
Now imagine that it's your child.
Joe, The president of Penn State and every single person that was aware of this that didn't go to the police are just as guilty as Sandusky.
Again, imagine this is your child.
Something stinks with this "Board of Trustees." It doesn't make any sense to fire Paterno this fast without a court decision on the case. When ever this happens to other people of authority, like a policeman, they are put on leave with out pay or on suspension until the verdict is reached. This sounds like a cover up to take the attention away from those who should be gong to jail.
Why didn't McQuery get fired or put on the hot seat? Let me see, he sees an act of molestation in progress, and does nothing. I personally don't think it was so hard to conclude that at that moment, who would care about PSU's order of reporting. He needed to pick up his cell phone and IMMEDIATELY call cops so they would have caught this creep red handed, in the act, and gotten proof by taking the boy to the hospital, got DNA evidence, etc. This would have eliminated this entire fiasco, and stopped Sandusky in his tracks. I fault McQuery the MOST of all of these PSU administrators and coaches. Telling someone what you saw the next day is not what I call good citizenship. Every one of us has a moral obligation that if we see something wrong or a crime being committed to alert police. Why would he be required to wait til the next day to tell Paterno, so Paterno could tell the others, etc. By that time it's just heresay - his word against Sandusky. And since the boy didn't speak up right away, that is why it got pushed under the rug. I heard people say McQuery should have rescued the boy. Maybe that would have worked but who knows if Sandusky would have fought him or what - calling the cops immediately would have been the best thing. Paterno got fired because he knew about a crime and when he realized nobody got the cops involved, he ignored it, thus letting this criminal behavior continue and since he was the head coach, it was under his responsibility. If this was a different type of crime, like robbery, murder, etc, would anyone who was a witness, and knew they could call police and have the offender caught red-handed, just walk away and "think about it' til the next day???
I think Joe should have been allowed to finish the season. As a former college graduate the colleges usually want you to come to there security with any problems first which Joe P did. Now what i don't understand is why did the PSU Security not do something more like notify the Police. Most colleges and Universities want to handle it with there own security first. I think the PSU security should be held accountable for this also if Joe had to go because he notified them then they should have to go also. PSU football will never ever be the same again they will never find a better coach in this lifetime and i stand by Joe P's decision 100% and they should have left him finish the season then retire. I will never attend another PSU football game.....
I am so sick of reading the comments of the uninformed-demented idiots out there that think they know all of the details surrounding this issue. Simply reading the AG's presentation and listening to all of the BS from the media and anyone else who can get face- time in the media, it is no wonder why all of you imbeciles will espouse anything that others will believe and agree with. I am amazed we haven't heard from the great Rev. Jesse Jackson who always has something to say about everything! Since when has this country moved from its system of criminal justice to allowing anyone - including the morons of society - to become judge/jury and executioner? Plain and simple, McQueary is the key to this whole mess; come on, a 27-year old (ADULT) who eyewitnessed the heinous deed calls his dad and then tells his coach - why didn't the "big boy" (McQueary) call the cops when he saw the little boy being assaulted? Joe wasn't there, he did not witness the alleged assault; yea, Joe could have called the cops on "hearsay"-or better yet, told McQueary to call the cops, but he missed the mark - so sorry. It is too bad for the young kids that were victimized - where was the Centre County DA in all of this? In 1998 there was a case that went to his office, but was kicked-out because he did not think he could prosecute it successfully; NOBODY is accusing him (albeit he has been declared dead) of not having the best interests of the children at the front. The Centre County DA's office should also be front and center here, since they may have had an opportunity to impact Sandusky's alleged actions. Yep, the media pressure pushes the trustees to make decisions that meet the public consensus - its the easy way out for them - and I'll bet good ole Governor Corbett had a lot say about how the trustees voted, as well . Corbett is just as guilty as the rest of them for letting this process go on almost another year; where is the media attention on that fact? All of you Penn State haters (including all of the media maggots) got your wish - now move on to your next conquest - maybe you can take on the federal government and "clean them up" like you just did with Penn State.
Ok, Paterno did nothing legally wrong but it was morally, ethically, professionally wrong to allow Sandusky to remain on the job and working with minors when Paterno KNEW the allegations.
As a coach, mentor, and employee of an educational institution, he has a responsibility to go one step beyond the minimum requirement.
No one' s saying Paterno should be in trouble with the law, but his judgment is definitely in question after such lack of action - and judgment is one of the important aspects of his job, which includes OFF the football field decision-making and upholding the higher aspects of being a Penn State employee.
It is a sad commentary when we can watch young people in places in the Middle East take to the streets to protest a dictator, for democracy and lofty, well-intentioned ideals and then American students take to the streets to protect football and coaches who apparently withheld information about a known pedophile attacking little kids. Sickening, as is those commenting here who obviously care more about a college's stats and sports than in what's right for children.
What is wrong with you people ?? JOE PATERNO IS NOT THE CRIMINAL HERE!! SANDUSKY is the criminal and one everyone should be outraged at him and the media should be targeting him . Not Paterno.
The PA state attroney general said "Joe Paterno did nothing legally wrong"
Why didn't the graduate assisant coach go to the police instead of going to Paterno that is the question that should be answered. Sandusky was no longer on the coaching staff when he committed the attack on that child in the shower room. So in my opinion The graduate assisant coach should be the one in the fire. He should have went to the police instead of telling Paterno since Sandusky was no longer on the coaching staff.
Children are more important than football.
If you need to think about or rationalize this in some way to suit your own needs, there is something wrong with you.
Joe should go, in shame - shame he brought on himself when he cared more about a team playing a game and office politics than in little boys being raped.
have any of you PRO Paterno people thought.... how many lives Paterno could have protected from harm if he would have gone the next step after seeing the boys with the PIG.... he reported it it did nothing..... thats when he should have done more....just what would you think of Paterno if one of your children was molested AFTER he made the report. When he SHOULD have gone then to a higher source like the police or something !
Typical knee-jerk reaction only AFTER the media outcry!!!! Joe Paterno did what he was suppose to do!!!! HE REPORTED IT UP THE CHAIN! Tar and feather the ASSt. coach who ACTUALLY did the crime! Fire Joe Paterno after 62 years of service to Penn State???!!! REALLY??!!! I smell scapegoat here!!!!!!!
I am NO Paterno hater....
But, for any of you to try & give him a pass you are SCREWED UP YOURSELVES ! He did the right thing by reporting it.... BUT HOW COULD HE LIVE WITH HIMSELF WHEN SEEING THE PIG WITH BOYS AFTER THE FACT & ALLOWING HIM ON CAMPUS !!! just shows that some of you are & will always be followers... you Paterno loyalists are a mess & should be ashamed of yourself. I am out of this discussion !
The Board of Trustees reportedly have been trying to get Joe Paterno out of the way, force him to retire, for about five years. All this was to them was a convenient excuse to let him go.
Joe Pa did the right thing, he reported it to the right people. Anything beyond that was overkill. I feel bad for the kid, the assistant coach should fry, but too many people are over-reacting.
I do not see the evidence at this point in time to put any responsibility on Paterno. It appears that the incident was properly reported at the time it was brought to light. Once it was reported the responsibility moved to the next official in charge, and that would have been the campus police. It seems that expecting Paterno to follow up is beyond his scope professionally.
I do feel sympathy for the victims, and it seems there are more coming out. This entire incident reeks of cover-up, similar to the Catholic churches involvement in like cases, but no one was expecting the Pope to resign.
Joe Pa did every thing he was legally required to do, while morally he could have done more, since when have morals seemed to matter in this country? They don't seem to matter to the gasbags on Faux Noise, or a certain presidential candidate...
Firing Joe is the equivalent of you driving past an accident on the other side of a divided highway and calling 911 to report the accident. The 911 operator fails to call an ambulance and one of the drivers dies. Because you didn't stop and run across the highway and perform CPR, you are charged with involuntary manslaughter.
If you take the time to actually investigate this issue, it was reported many years ago, it was investigated, police were involved and it was left to pass. What is a football coach supposed to do about that? They made Jerry retire. He was NOT convicted of anything, so how can they refuse him access to the campus? That would be illegal. (This is where the victims have some onus, unless of course they were happy with what they got settlement wi$e… see Michael Jackson molestation case)
What about the Janitor who witnessed Sandusky performing oral on a minor. Why isn’t the media clamoring for his firing? Oh, that won't bring up HLN's ratings will it?
About the victims; it took this long to report this again? Really?
The real victims are all the intelligent, educated individuals I this country who are subjected to the sensationalized dribble the media would like you to believe is news. But that’s not enough; we have to be subjected to the senseless reactions of the overly simplistic majority who speak out with no factual basis what so ever except the filtered information presented by the afore mentioned media. It’s no wonder we are number 2 and falling rapidly.
If I could ask one question of Joseph Paterno it would be, "would you have acted differently if the witness had reported that the victim was one of your grandchildren"? The expected answer, if the always honest teflon man was under oath, would be "of course". (Without the oath it would probably be "no comment"). But if he answers honestly, then he's a hypocrite. If he answers, "I wouldn't have reacted any differently", then he's a liar. In football betting I believe this would be called a "you pick 'em". It's a great day to be a Penn State hater.
I applaud the Penn State Board of Trustees for doing the right thing, the only thing they could. Both Paterno and Spanier deserve to be fired and castigated for their moral inaction or lack of sufficient action back in 2002, which allowed a monster to continue to roam free to molest and rape many more innocent State College children in last 9 years. That is just unconscionable and unforgivable. Joe Pa has rightfully lost the respect of millions of people around the country and his football legacy will understandably be severely tainted and tarnished. Actions of Penn State students rioting in support of such a shameful figurehead is likewise appalling.
Don't worry people McQueary will not be on the sidelines on Saturday he will be gone... WHY, would anyone THINK Paterno the ENABLER should be allowed to complete the season. Why don't some of you get it ! He did report the incident, he did what he was supposed to do legally. I agree with all that.... Now, when he sees Sandusky on the Campus, on the Football Field ... and at times with small children on the Campus AFTER making the report is what sickens me about Joe & about all of them.... what kind of a man & human being would allow that !!!!!
This does not fall on Joe Paterno, he was told of an incident by another person. He informed his bosses of the incident. If Joe would have went to the Police, everything he said is "HERE SAY", and the police would have been directed to McQueary. This was the duty of the school admin and the TRUSTEES, who would have likely FIRED the first person inside the Penn State Organization who "blew the whistle". The children who were victims of this pervert are the real loss here, there is no question about that. That being said, going for blood on a man that had nothing to do with the issue, and has given 80% of his life to the mental and physical growth of countless college students is a political move to appease the angry, there is no justice in this....
Based on current evidence (new stuff's coming out every minute) but is there any evidence proving JoePa knew anything other than what he's said. I too have a hard time believing he didn't know this was going especially during the years Sandusky coached but where's the evidence. Does the Board of Directors know something everyone else doesn't. They've been trying to get rid of him since the mid 2000's with those losing Football teams but now they have bulletproof ammunition(pun). So they fire Joe for not doing enough but McQueary witnesses an actual act he thought was anal sex walked away to tell someone else and still up to this point has a job. Any decent human would've picked up something and clubbed Sandusky over the head.
I completely agree the victims should be the ones everyone is concerned about BUT firing Joe is what put the attention on Joe! you can't blame him that he is the main focus, the board and the media made him the main focus. so typical of Americans to judge and already find Joe guilty, you don't truly know the facts and how do you know the Board didn't know about the victims as well, YOU DON'T! all the facts will come out in time, i get so disgusted when people attack and judge so quickly. these boys deserve their voice to be heard now, maybe if you stop the name calling you might actually hear what they have to say! maybe had the Board let him stay on as Coach and retire at the end of the year and waited for the full truth to come out, you know considering he gave his life to that school and all i would think he deserves to judged as guilty when he is actually PROVEN guilty, and maybe then these boys and their horrible, just beyond words what happened to them, would be what we would be talking about with compassion for them!
Dog Bless America, where facts are unimportant and Nancy Grace holds the trials. Shouldn't due process rule? We're any of us there? All you so-called conservatives always decry the media, but, suddenly, the media reports on the timeline of events are wholly accurate. Yes, I read the GJ testimony. Yes, it seems damning. Yes, it appears that JoePa did no do enough, but, at this point, do we really know? Is he being scapegoated by a powerful board that has tried to oust home for years? There are so many who should fall here, but the media is focusing on one man only, and it is not the disgusting serial rapist or the foundation he ran to farm his victims.
I am a 1983 graduate. I am heartbroken and disgusted by this horrendous story, but one man is being vilified by the press so heinously it is probably going to kill him. The story starts with Sandusky. Two Mile knew. Where is their axe and chopping block? The same is true for the entire Board of Trustees, Curley, Schulz, and McQueary. What of the Centre County attorney general's office or the University Police? The only innocence is what was lost by those boys due to a systemic failure of power brokers beyond JoePa to do the right thing. They could have been heroes in 1994, in 1998, and in 2002. Instead, we will forever be Pedophile U.
He needed to go. This is bigger than football!!
I don't understand why McQueary was not fired since he was the eyewitness. What Joe Paterno knew was only hearsay. He legally did nothing wrong. He went to his superiors, which is exactly what McQueary did, but yet only Joe is taking a hit. I'm more offended by Schultz and Curley, and Spanier who I'm shocked to learn has degrees in sociology and marriage and family therapy. He definitely should have known better. And let's not forget to place blame where blame is due, on SANDUSKY. I barely even hear his name being mentioned anymore and he is the sick man behind all of this fallout. Joe Paterno is simply taking the blame because he is the most well-known figure involved. The whole situation is just entirely heartbreaking in so many ways, and especially for someone who is from central PA and Nittany Lion territory.
He needed to go. This is bigger than football!!
How was the Catholic Church held accountable? The principal actor in charge of the shuffle of monsters, Herr Benny das Kanalforelle, was promoted to Pope. Of course, to claim divine providence and then drive around in a bulletproof Stuttgart Panzer is the ultimate evidence that religion is just egotistical pipe dreams.
Yes. When it comes to the safety and well being of a child, no secrets ever can be kept and those covering it up or trying a blind eye, should be held accountable. While all the fame Joe Pa has acquired over the years, his own undoing was his own actions. To all the students rioting on the campus, simply have to put themselves in those children's shoes and then tell me with a straight face that they'd feel it was okay if it was one of them who was abused. To the others who knew, let me face their consequences as well....
YES, YES & YES... he should be gone !
he COULD have done more... he knew what happened & CONTINUED to let that "PIG" on his campus up until just the other week ! He was wrong... For all of you who bow to the altar of Jo'Pa he was wrong , an enabler for not doing more ! good riddance to all of them !
So he told his boss about what happen to little Billy. What do you tell little Johny
parents why it did not stop after Billy. You shouldn't say poor Joe you should say
Joe why didn't you stop it!
Priests molested young boys and the entire Catholic church was held accountable and the vast majority of the people agreed. A coach at Penn State molests young boys. Should not Penn State be held accountable? Should not the vast majority of the people agree? I say let's stick with a single standard...in this issue as well as in any issue. Are you listening those of you who wish to destroy Herman Cain, while holding other politicians up as heroes?
Joe Paterno HAD to go immediately. He did not do enough to protect this little boy and having known that, he is GUILTY of not only judicial law but a higher moral law. How could he continue all these years knowing what happened? Shame on him and his colleagues for plainly thinking more about the institutuion than this innocent little boy. I hope more of them get indicted and even face jail time. It's about time that adults defend children who do not have the courage or insight to do the same. SHAME on Penn State as a whole!!
What I don't understand is how the "witnesses" to these assaults did nothing to stop it immediately. What did they do...stand there and observe. Then report it the next day or seek advice over what to do. Common decency tells you to do whatever possible to stop the attack and rescue the child. Scream, shout, throw something...anything to get the crazy molester away from the child. How these witnesses can live with themselves is beyond me. These grown men should be ashamed of themselves. What if it were their child/grandchild. I suppose they would protect their cronies at all costs...after all friendship comes before common decency.
This is a no brainer. If something as horrible as a child being molested comes to ones attention, it is our duty to report this issue to our BOSS (as in what Joe did) and then the authorities. Do we really think that we can trust our boss to cover us? That duty is for the benefit of the victims as well as the reporter so something like this doesn't resurface and produce shame. Paterno messed up - simple! The school will always be accused in the back of everyone's mind (potential students, recruited players, parents, charity events, parents of children involved in the university in any manner) to be an unsafe place. The school officials squashed this incident from the get go for revenue purposes of enrollment and sports income from bowl games, etc. They are wrong. Now, PENN STATE will always have a stigma of being an unsafe university. The whole crew involved were trying to protect the university's name and income by not exposing this horrible act on their property. If they would have come clean from the beginning, they (the university and the powers that be of the university) would have been champions for the victims and would have increased their reputation as a safe university. Now, they will go down in history as a culpable criminal in this case. Can you see a Real Sports with Bryant Gumble show on HBO. Or, a documentary in a couple years on HBO. So stupid, so sad, so culpable and so criminal. They all should be indited for not reporting this issue to the authorities. We are all mandatory reporters!!!!!!!!!!!!
Why is Mike McQuery still coaching if Joe had to go?
Even though I voted to allow JoePa to finish the season, I see your point, Dan. The indictment is damning, not only to school officials but also to the campus police who may have prevented some of this abuse in 1998. It suggests justice in this country is a function of who you are, who you know and how much money you have. A sad day for JoePa and Penn State.
Even though all the information probably hasn't come to surface, the Board of Trustees had no choice other than to fire Joe Paterno. To allow Joe to be cheered by 110,000 fans on Saturday would have been a slap in the face for the victims and their families.