With jury in place, Sandusky trial to begin Monday

Five men and seven women have been picked to serve on the jury for the trial of Jerry Sandusky in Bellefonte, Pa.

The former Penn State assistant football coach has been charged with sexual abuse of children. His trial is set to begin Monday.

Judge John Cleland sent a clear message to prospective jurors, on day one of jury selection, that he was going to move expediently to find a jury.

And though many thought the selection process would drag on past the four days scheduled, by the end of the first day, there were nine chosen jurors.

“The trial in this case will start on Monday morning,” the judge said. “We anticipate that it will take, at most, three weeks and be done by the last day of June.”

All in all, 16 jurors — 12 for the jury, plus four alternates — came from a group of about 80 people questioned.

Several jurors work or have worked at Penn State.

One is a student at the university.

At least three jurors said they have some connection to potential witnesses in the case.