Court Holds Lottery for Sandusky Hearing, 6 Accusers to Testify

A lawyer for a young man who accuses former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky of sexual abuse says he expects his client and at least five other alleged victims to testify at a hearing next week.

The highly anticipated preliminary hearing will be open to the public, but a lottery system has been established to decide who will be there.

The Centre County Court of Common Pleas said Monday applications for seating at the Dec. 13 preliminary hearing would be accepted for 24 hours on the county's webpage starting Wednesday at noon. A random drawing will then be held to assign seats. Those who get seats will be notified on Friday.

A court statement said space was limited but did not specify how much public seating was available.

The lawyer says he has information that the six young men who testified before a grand jury will be called to testify next Tuesday.

Sandusky is charged with abusing eight boys over a 15-year span in a scandal that has enveloped the school and tarnished the reputation of the popular football program. Sandusky and his lawyer vow to defend the charges.

Sandusky has said he showered and horsed around with boys, but never sexually abused them. He faces 40 counts of child sex abuse.

Nils Frederiksen, a spokesman for the state attorney general's office, says only that prosecutors are ready to present evidence needed to send the case to trial.