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Next phase In Sandusky trial begins next week

Posted: Jun 15, 2012 2:17 PM
Updated: Jun 15, 2012 2:24 PM


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(NBC) - After just four days of testimony, the prosecution is expected to rest monday in the sex abuse trial of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky.

The trial has been emotionally grueling, and a three-day weekend might be an opportunity for the defense to approach jurors who've had a few days to clear their heads.

"On the other hand, it may well be that it locks this testimony in their minds and it's going to be hard to break any grip this testimony has on them," says NBC News legal analyst Wes Oliver.

The judge has granted a defense motion to present evidence Sandusky suffers from Histrionic Personality Disorder.

Some of the symptoms include believing relationships are more intimate than they really are and a constant need for approval.

The prosecution will also have a chance to examine Sandusky.

The case has gone faster than expected, but legal experts say the prosecution narrative has been powerful.

"Virtually every witness testified to one small fact, that Sandusky touched them on the leg in the car ride back to his house. This was a small fact that linked all their testimony," Oliver points out.

Each day young men took the witness stand to tell different but strikingly similar stories of abuse they suffered as young boys.

The final, most graphic account came from the accuser known as a Victim #9, who said he was afraid to seek help because he feared no one would believe him.

Still, it was the words of Jerry Sandusky that may prove most problematic for the defense, notes and letters to the boys.

"Sandusky had kept a copy of this, which adds sort of to the creepiness factor," Oliver says.

Then there are the media interviews in which he admits to showering with young boys.

Beginning next week Sandusky has a chance to explain what he did, and why.

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