Sandusky prepares for worst, his lawyer says

Joe Amendola, the attorney for Jerry Sandusky, says that his client is 'innocent.' WCAU's LuAnn Cahn reports. By NBC News staff Jerry Sandusky, the former Penn State assistant football coach, is prepared for the worst and will assert his innocence before a judge when he is sentenced on 45 counts of child sexual abuse on Tuesday, his lawyer said. "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 a span of 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 if Sandusky qualifies as a sexually violent predator under Pennsylvania's version of Megan's Law, after which Sandusky will be sentenced. The 68-year-old Sandusky will likely spend the rest of his life in prison, given his age and 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 he has letters defending Sanduksy, 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, sink and 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' "I believe that he was set up, I really do," Amendola said, according to NBCPhiladelphia.com. "I believe this started out as an investigation into Jerry Sandusky, but as soon as the power people realized that this could also implicate Penn State, I think this took on a life of its own." Analysis: What to expect at Sandusky's sentencing Amendola says 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 explained, 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 they should have asked for an out-of-county jury. But the biggest regret was the interview with Bob Costas. Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy When Sandusky walks into court on Tuesday, he'll look different than 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 gonna 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." NBC10Philadelphia's Karen Araiza and NBC News's Tom Winter and Sevil Omer contributed to this report. 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