| Joe Amendola, the attorney for Jerry Sandusky, says that his client is 'innocent.' WCAU's LuAnn Cahn reports. By Sevil Omer and M. Alex Johnson, NBC News New in this version: Statement from Sandusky Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET: Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky insisted Monday that "I did not do these alleged disgusting acts" and blamed a systematic conspiracy among police, Penn State administrators and the media for his conviction on 45 counts of child sexual abuse. Tom Winter of NBC News and Lu Ann Cahn and Karen Araiza of NBC station WCAU-TV of Philadelphia contributed to this report by Sevil Omer and M. Aex Johnson of NBC News. "They can take away my life, they can make me out as a monster, they can treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart," Sandusky, 68, who is to be sentenced Tuesday, said in a three-minute statement recorded from his jail cell in Bellefonte, Pa., and aired on the Penn State student radio station. "My wife has been my only sex partner, and that was after marriage. Our love continues," Sandusky said. Sandusky said his accusers were part of a "well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists (and) civil attorneys" to falsely put him in prison. "Over and over, I asked why? Why didn't we have a fair opportunity to prepare for trial?" he said. "Why have so many people suffered as a result of false allegations?" Sandusky said he hoped his experience would help others, saying: "Some vulnerable children who could be abused might not be because of all the publicity. That would be nice, but I'm not sure about it." Earlier, Sandusky's lawyer said his client was prepared for the worst when he is sentenced on 45 counts of child sexual abuse Tuesday. "He's going to say that he's innocent," defense attorney Joe Amendola told NBCPhiladelphia. com. Sandusky, who had become a hometown hero as a Penn State coach and as a champion for underprivileged boys, was convicted in June of abusing 10 boys over 15 years, including some attacks inside Penn State's athletic facilities. Before the judge decides how much time Sandusky will spend in prison, some of his victims may speak out, as may Sandusky. View NBCPhiladelphia's complete coverage of Penn State scandal "Jerry will not be having anyone speak on his behalf," Amendola told NBC News on Monday before participating in a closed-door meeting with prosecutors and Judge John Cleland to discuss sentencing logistics. Sentencing is expected to begin with a hearing to determine whether Sandusky qualifies as a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania's version of Megan's Law, after which Sandusky will be sentenced. Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, given his age and the serious nature of his convictions. Several of the counts carry mandatory minimum sentences of five or 10 years. Amendola said Sandusky is prepared to hear the worst. "It's going to be tantamount to a life sentence for Jerry," Amendola told NBCPhiladelphia.com. Amendola told NBC News that he has letters defending Sandusky, including one from his wife, Dottie Sandusky, who stands by her husband and will attend the sentencing. Sandusky admits to no wrongdoing, Amendola said, but he does admit making a mistake. "What Jerry has always said, his mistake was using bad judgment and doing some of the things that led up to the accusations —getting showers with kids," Amendola told NBCPhiladelphia.com. "He said he should have realized, obviously, that wasn't the thing to do. But he's always maintained and still maintains his innocence." Sandusky has spent the last three months in a cell with a bed, a sink and a toilet. "It's a Spartan life. He's isolated," Amendola said. "Not because he's bad, not because they think he's a bad person, but for his own protection." Sandusky has been busy writing a detailed document that he is convinced will be the key to his appeal. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy 'He was set up' Analysis: What to expect at Sandusky's sentencing Amendola said there were inconsistencies in the testimony from accusers that jurors simply ignored. "If Jerry Sandusky did all the things these young people said he did, he didn't have time to do anything else — he didn't have time to be a parent, he didn't have time to be an assistant coach at Penn State — my God, he was busy doing all these sexual activities with all these kids!" Sandusky is more than ready to be sentenced, Amendola said, because for them, the sentencing finally triggers the appeals process. The basis of their appeal will be that Sandusky was denied due process. Looking back, Amendola said he does have regrets — Sandusky should have testified, and his lawyers should have asked for an out-of-county jury. But the biggest regret was the interview with Bob Costas of NBC's "Rock Center." Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy When Sandusky walks into court Tuesday, he'll look different from the last time, when he was handcuffed after his guilty verdict and led away in his starched white shirt and brown sports coat. "You're going to see a guy who's lost some weight," Amendola said. "They may have him dressed in prison garb ... the bright orange. And he's lost weight. But he's feisty!" Ex-Penn State football aide McQueary files $4M whistleblower lawsuit Amendola said Sandusky's spirits are unbelievably high. "He really believes that he's going to be vindicated," Amendola said. "He really anticipates he's going to get another shot at this. More content from NBCNews.com:
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10/08/2012
Sandusky insists he's innocent, alleges conspiracy
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