Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Hot on Facebook
Think You're Pretty Hot? You're Probably Wrong Study finds we have inflated vision of ourselves »

Sandusky Witness Changed His Story: Insider

Mike McQueary's account at core of Penn State case

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 12, 2011 7:03 AM CST | Updated Dec 12, 2011 7:58 AM CST

(Newser) – The witness whose account of the now-infamous shower encounter sits at the center of the Penn State child abuse case has changed his story over the years, according to the Patriot-News. Much of the case against Jerry Sandusky hinges on former assistant coach Mike McQueary's report that he saw Sandusky raping a boy in the showers in 2002. But in grand jury testimony, McQueary family friend Dr. Jonathan Dranov says that just after the alleged incident, McQueary explained the situation in less certain terms, an insider says.

Dranov was at McQueary's father's home when the then-28-year-old showed up looking for advice: According to the source, McQueary said that he had heard "sex sounds" and saw a boy look out of the shower before being pulled back by an adult arm; within seconds, a towel-clad Sandusky exited the shower. The source says Dranov testified that McQueary three times told him he had not seen any sexual contact; Dranov thus advised McQueary to tell Joe Paterno about the incident rather than police. That account doesn't match McQueary's own grand jury testimony, which is the basis for the perjury case against two Penn State officials. It also casts new light on Joe Paterno's assertion that he was never told explicit details of a rape, notes ESPN. (Meanwhile, more child abuse allegations are emerging among other sporting officials.)

This Oct. 8, 2011, file photo shows Penn State assistant football coach Mike McQueary.
This Oct. 8, 2011, file photo shows Penn State assistant football coach Mike McQueary.   (AP Photo/Gene Puskar, File)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
3%
10%
72%
2%
7%
6%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 8 comments
pg13
Dec 12, 2011 12:02 PM CST
Whichever story McQueary tells, McQueary still comes off as morally compromised, Paterno as blind, Ms. Sandusky as an accomplice, and Mr. Sandusky as pure evil.
getoffmylawn
Dec 12, 2011 10:28 AM CST
While I believe that something creepy and inappropriate happened between Sandusky and some young boys, I also believe this is turning into a media and lawyer-driven witch hunt where innocent people are being dragged into the spotlight and being accused unjustly.  It mirrors all the school abuse charges that were suddenly leveled against hundreds of teachers and caretakers in the 80s, only to be discounted years later.  Suddenly everyone's 'repressed memories' will kick in, along w/ thier filed lawsuits.
ryank
Dec 12, 2011 10:24 AM CST
Of course it doesn't dismiss what Sandusky has done.  What it does is vindicate Joe Paterno, who was hastily and unnecessarily ostracized for his actions based on limited information that now turns out to be questionable.  The reality is that people, led by the media (namely ESPN and CNN) and the PSU Board of Trustees, were looking for a high profile scapegoat and JoePa was the lowest hanging fruit. The entire PSU BoT deserves to be fired for their actions and the so-called journalists at ESPN should be fired for their embarrassing lynch mob mentality. 
 

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Timelines   |   POPSUGAR Tech   |   Business Insider   |   HuffPost Entertainment   |   NewsOne