Spanier: I was abused as kid, wouldn't ignore Sandusky allegations

[JWIL4CY]

Former Penn State president: I was abused as kid, wouldn't ignore Sandusky allegations – This Just In - CNN.com Blogs

Former Penn State President Graham Spanier said in a letter to the university's board of trustees, said his "massive and persistent abuse as a child" makes it illogical to believe that he would ignore allegations of abuse against Jerry Sandusky.
The letter was sent to the board on Sunday, dated Monday, and obtained by CNN on Tuesday.
While Spanier has not been criminally charged in the case, an investigation by ex-FBI chief Louis Freeh concluded that he helped university officials conceal allegations of sexual abuse against the former assistant football coach.
Spanier disputes these findings in his letter, saying "at no time during my presidency did anyone ever report to me that Jerry Sandusky was observed abusing a child or youth or engaged in a sexual act with a child or youth."

 

[CLONECONES]

 

[mj4cy]

Might save him with a sympathetic jury...

 

[DistrictCyclone]

Might save him with a sympathetic jury...

...or a stupid one.

 

[cowgirl836]

Stop. Just stop. No one believes you and you are only succeeding in burying yourself.

 

[mj4cy]

...or a stupid one.

I'm not saying I believe him. I'm just saying he's laying ground work for a potential jury down the line.

 

[Clones85']

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

 

[IcSyU]

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

I'd rep you if I was able.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

Timing, and the fact that the Freeh report has documents that contradict Spanier.

 

[cowgirl836]

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

The Freeh report seemed to be written by reliable sources. I haven't seen anything yet that makes me trust what Spanier says.

 

[JP4CY]

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

I don't believe him because it looks like there is a mountain of evidence against everyone.

 

[CycoCyclone]

Even if true, an odd time to say it.

 

[Go2Guy]

...."at no time during my presidency did anyone ever report to me that Jerry Sandusky was observed abusing a child or youth or engaged in a sexual act with a child or youth."....

That is a bold, explicit declaration which, in a court of law, could either bury him, or exonerate.

 

[Clones85']

The Freeh report seemed to be written by reliable sources. I haven't seen anything yet that makes me trust what Spanier says.

I'm skeptical too, but I also understand the right to defend yourself on this. We've heard 1 side of the story, be interesting to hear the other.

 

[Tre4ISU]

What if....he's telling the truth?

gasp.

Not saying he is, but people were so quick to believe the Freeh report, why aren't people so quick to believe this?

I agree. I think the Freeh, report is a pretty reliable piece of work but there have been holes pointed out.

 

[JWIL4CY]

It's definitley possible he's telling the truth about being abused, but I don't think that necessarily means he "wouldn't ignore allegations". Being a victim of childhood abuse could quite possibly make him more likely to cover up other abuse.

 

[twistedredbird]

From what I read, the Freeh report said that Spanier was copied on two cryptic emails talking about whether or not coach was happy.

The truth is, this is JoePa's web, JoePa was the godfather of this culture, and he didn't use email.

Personally, I don't think Spanier would have said this if he didn't mean it.

Of anyone in the situation, the jury is still out for me on Spanier, unless someone can point me to information that I haven't read on him being directly involved that I haven't read.

 

[DistrictCyclone]

I'm skeptical too, but I also understand the right to defend yourself on this. We've heard 1 side of the story, be interesting to hear the other.

While I generally agree, there's not always two sides to every story, especially when there's a pile of tangible, factual evidence implicating Spanier.

 

[BringBackJohnny]

Innocent until proven guilty. This PSU thing has turned into a total witch hunt.

 

[Clones85']

While I generally agree, there's not always two sides to every story, especially when there's a pile of tangible, factual evidence implicating Spanier.

There's not always two sides to the story but that doesn't mean somebody can't defend themselves and try and prove they are innocent. I don't know if Spanier is or isn't. All I know is the public is quick to call them guilty and quick to call him a liar when he tries to defend himself.