HARRISBURG, Pa.--A judge will hear an appeal today from three former Penn State University leaders who are facing criminal charges in connection to the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Former University President Graham Spanier, former Vice President Gary Schultz, and former Athletic Director Tim Curley are all appealing a pretrial ruling from January, in which a judge ruled the University's former top lawyer, Cynthia Baldwin can testify against the three men.
The appeal will go before the State Superior Court at 9:30 a.m. this morning. The three men are facing perjury, conspiracy and other charges, and are accused of covering up details about child abuse and lying to investigators.
In a previous ruling in January, Judge Todd Hoover determined that Baldwin can testify against the three. Baldwin was Penn State's legal counsel but testified against the administrators to the Grand Jury that investigated Jerry Sandusky. Now the three former administrators want her blocked from testifying against them at their criminal trial, they claim, because their right to legal representation was violated, and they were left without counsel. They argue that Baldwin was representing them during the grand jury hearings.
Sandusky, 71, is a former Penn State assistant football coach who is currently serving a 30- to 60-year sentence at a state prison on child sexual abuse convictions.