1998 Jerry Sandusky police report released to NBC

By Jessica Tully

In 1998, a psychologist said the incidents surrounding Jerry Sandusky met all definitions of a “likely pedophile’s pattern of building trust and gradual introduction of physical touch, within a context of a ‘loving,’ ‘special’ relationship.” Penn State U. Police was in possession of the psychologist’s report but dismissed the case.

Psychologist Alycia A. Chambers’ report, obtained by NBC News, was penned more than a decade before the former Penn State assistant football coach was charged with 52 counts of child sexual abuse involving boys he met through The Second Mile, a charity he founded for underprivileged children.

In an interview with NBC News, Chambers said there was very little doubt in her mind that Sandusky was “a male predator.” She said she believed her 1998 report was “strong enough” that police would know Sandusky was “somebody who should be watched.”

Chambers was the psychologist for the man labeled in the grand jury presentment as “Victim 6.”

According to the report obtained by NBC News, the mother of “Victim 6” called Chambers to tell her about an incident involving Sandusky and her son showering together.

After questioning the 11-year-old boy about the shower incident, Chambers gave the report to University Police Officer Ronald Schreffler on May 7, 1998, NBC News reported.

Investigators asked psychologist John Seasock to meet with “Victim 6.” Seasock concluded that “all the interactions reported by (the boy) can be typically defined as normal between a healthy adult and a young adolescent male,” according to the report obtained by NBC News.

Sandusky continued to call and visit the apartment of “Victim 6.” Police monitored two confrontations between Sandusky and the boy’s mother, NBC News reported.

The mother asked Sandusky if his private parts touched her son when Sandusky hugged him. Sandusky replied, “I don’t think so. …Maybe.” Sandusky told the mother that he has done the same with other boys, according to the report obtained by NBC News.

Schreffler and Jerry Lauro, who worked in the state Department of Public Welfare, interviewed Sandusky as part of their investigation, NBC News reported.

They could not conclude if “a sexual assault occurred,” so the case was dismissed.

Sandusky has maintained his innocence through his attorney. Joe Amendola told NBC News that during Sandusky’s trial he will call other psychologists to counter the conclusions reached by Chambers.

Amendola released a statement today reacting to the releasing of the information in the report, saying “we are troubled.” Amendola said the Office of the Attorney General has only provided him with parts of the 1998 police reports, not including the reports from Chambers and Seasock. He said he is now left to speculate “on what other critical information the Attorney General has failed to provide to the defense team.”

Penn State University Police deferred all comment to the Office of University Relations. Penn State Spokeswoman Lisa Powers wrote in an email that she could not comment on issues related to Sandusky investigations, past or present. The university is fully cooperating with the United States Attorney General, the Pennsylvania Attorney General and Judge Louis Freeh, who is conducting an independent investigation, she wrote.

Read more here: http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2012/03/24/1998_police_report_released_to_nbc.aspx
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