Jane Velez-Mitchell

Former Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky was sentenced Tuesday to 30 to 60 years in prison for sexually assaulting 10 boys, capping nearly a yearlong saga that captivated the nation and shook a major university.

In June, a jury found Sandusky guilty on 45 counts of child sex abuse. The judge handed down a minimum of 30 years. Jane Velez-Mitchell is outraged and believes this sentence is way too short and will just re-victimize the young men all over again.

Jerry Sandusky is speaking out and declaring his innocence. In an audio recording aired Monday by Penn State Radio, Jerry Sandusky says “They could take away my life, they could make me out as a monster, they could treat me as a monster, but they can't take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts.”

Sandusky went on to say, “A young man who was dramatic a veteran accuser, and always sought attention, started everything. He was joined by a well-orchestrated effort of the media, investigators, the system, Penn State, psychologists, civil attorneys and other accusers. They won. I've wondered what they really won: Attention, financial gain, prestige will all be temporary.”

Brian Claypool, a criminal defense attorney and Penn State alum says that former Penn State President Graham Spanier should be prosecuted. He says Joe Paterno had a responsibility to report this. Claypool also says we need to prosecute the leaders of institutions if we are going to ever actually create change.

Claypool says Spanier took the law into his own hands and needs to pay the price. 

Former FBI director’s review says powerful leaders at Penn State ”failed to protect against a child sexual predator harming children for over a decade.” Louis Freeh's report says there was an active plan to conceal what was happening at the school.

Jane Velez-Mitchell and Sara Ganim examine the 267-page report stemming from a Penn State-funded investigation and discuss the shocking emails from Penn State officials. 

Jerry Sandusky’s attorneys are already gearing up for an appeal. But on what grounds, if any, could an appeal be successful?

Jane Velez-Mitchell sat down with Michael Jackson’s former attorney, Tom Mesereau. Mesereau successfully defended Michael Jackson against his child molestation charges. He spoke to Jane about the Jerry Sandusky trial, Joe Amendola’s out of court comments and the likelihood of a successful appeal.

Was there a cover-up at Penn State?  Some are now claiming that certain Penn State officials knew about Jerry Sandusky’s abuse and chose not to report it. Two former officials are charged with lying to the Grand Jury. Jane goes over these new allegations with Patriot News reporter and HLN contributor, Sara Ganim.

For more on this story watch Jane Velez-Mitchell weeknights at 7pm ET on HLN. 

Matt Sandusky, the 33-year-old adopted son of Jerry Sandusky, has now come forward saying he was a victim of sexual abuse at the hands of his adoptive father.  His attorney says, “Matt Sandusky requested our advice and assistance to disclose that he is a victim of Jerry Sandusky’s abuse.”

The jury was already deliberating the case and they have not heard the stunning new developments.

The prosecution in the Sandusky child sex abuse trial called their final witnesses and now the defense has their turn to argue their side of the story. The defense called four character witnesses, including other former Penn State coaches. Some of these witnesses say they, too, have showered with adolescent boys.

Jane Velez-Mitchell spoke with former NHL hockey star, Theo Fleury, who was himself abused by a former coach for years.