Just when you thought the Jerry Sandusky sex scandal was winding to a close, with the jury beginning deliberations on 48 charges related to sexual abuse (three charges were thrown out by Judge John Cleland), one of Sandusky's adopted sons claims to be a victim of the former Penn State defensive coordinator.

The Harrisburg Patriot-News' Sarah Ganim, who won a Pulitzer for her work on the Sandusky scandal, reported this evening that Matt Sandusky, 33, told prosecutors that he was a victim and would have testified. Matt relayed the information through his lawyer, Andrew Shubin, and has yet to speak directly to the media.

Matt Sandusky had previously claimed not to have been abused by his adoptive father, but he told prosecutors this week that he would have testified against Jerry had he come forward sooner. Matt's biological mother, Debra Long, testified before the 2011 grand jury that ultimately was responsible for Jerry Sandusky's arrest. Ms. Long claimed she noticed strange behavior between Matt and Jerry, and Victim 4 testified that Matt had been present during a shower session but had left before any abuse began. 

While this revelation has no bearing on the outcome of the trial because the jury is already sequestered, it continues to heap evidence against Sandusky in the court of public opinion. It's also a reminder that it's very likely that victims of sexual abuse often don't come forward to report the abuse. 

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[Patriot-News]

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