Child Abuse Expert: Possible Reasons For Sandusky Not Testifying

By Patrick Perion-

(Editor's Note: Patrick has been a child abuse investigator since 1994 and has interviewed thousands of children about child abuse, child sexual abuse and neglect. He will weigh in with his thoughts as a special 670TheScore.com contributor throughout the Jerry Sandusky Trial. Patrick is otherwise known as "Quad City Pat", a frequent caller to the Boers & Bernstein Show.)

(CBS) Wednesday, the defense in the Jerry Sandusky trial rested its case without having Sandusky take the stand in his own defense. This perplexed some, outraged others and caused an endless stream of columns today. As Dan Bernstein wrote Wednesday, if you're planning your defense around a hail mary strategy, you let the guy testify.

There are a couple possible reasons for Sandusky sitting this one out. First, let me say that not having him testify completely defuses the argument that he has Histrionic Personality Disorder. A man with this disorder is someone who loves to be the center of attention. He tells his attorney, "I'm testifying, period."

I've sat through dozens of trials of child sexual abusers, child murderers and child batterers. There are no two alike. I've seen cases in which the prosecution has a mountain of evidence, the defendant testifies, and is later acquitted. I've seen cases where the defendant is ripped to shreds on the stand and is found guilty. Trials in which the defendant doesn't testify happen all the time. It can be disappointing but it's been common in the sexual abuse trials that I have been involved in.

In Sandusky's case, Jerry may just not be capable of testifying without sounding pathetic and creepy. Attorneys spend hours upon hours prepping witnesses. In a trial about allegations this horrible, the defense certainly does not want Sandusky to sound as creepy on the stand as he did in the already played tapes from NBC.

It's also entirely possible that Joe Amendola and Karl Rominger think that they've proved their case. That these boys are making it up for money, that Mike McQueary was mistaken and not credible, that Jerry really is just a great guy who wants to help kids.

I think they're deluded. Even their defense character witnesses helped the prosecution. A 21-year-old, David Hilton, testified that he spent many nights at Sandusky's home and was never molested. He also testified that he spoke to police and prosecutors several times and was always told to just tell the truth and don't make anything up. This completely destroys the case that the other boys made it up and were coached by police to embellish the abuse.

Their assault on McQueary's credibility really didn't accomplish anything either. It did raise a question as to why he didn't report this to someone besides Joe Paterno. Simply put, mandated reporting only covers people who are directly working with children in a professional capacity. If McQueary was a coach of high school kids, he'd be required to call. Other people didn't report because there was no outcry from the victims until they were adults. Sandusky's type of serial sexual abuse depends on victims slipping through the cracks. Unfortunately that happens a lot more than you might suspect.

Closing arguments are set for tomorrow. Don't be surprised if some charges are dropped or consolidated -- again, it happens all the time. The closing statements both sides make will be very telling about where they think they stand with they jury. No matter what's said, it'll be a fascinating day in Centre County.

Patrick is a 1990 graduate of St. Ambrose University in Davenport IA. He's been working in child welfare since 1988. Since 1994, he has been a child abuse investigator and has interviewed thousands of children about child abuse, child sexual abuse and neglect. He was certified in forensic interviewing of child sexual abuse victims in 1999 and received an advanced certification in 2001. He's also been a trainer of forensic interviewing for child welfare professionals and law enforcement officials. On a personal note, he out kicked his coverage in marrying his wife Nicole and he has two wonderful daughters. Follow Patrick on Twitter @QuadCityPat and read his blog. He is not a spokesperson for his employer and his opinions are his own.