The much talked about interview between NBC's Bob Costas and alleged child abuser and former Penn State football coach, Jerry Sandusky, has brought much attention to the already popular news story across news sources and social networks. Bob Costas, apparently not knowing he would be speaking to Sandusky himself until fifteen minutes before the interview, was sharp and succinct in his questioning and in no way made the interview about him. He left the viewers to have their own opinions on Sandusky's response. It was a shining moment for journalists everywhere, but not so much for defense attornies.
What the hell is Joe Amendola doing allowing his client to speak out on national television? Now all accused citizens in this country are innocent until proven guilty, and the same holds true for Sandusky, despite the grueling 23-page grand jury indictment, but in high profile cases such as this, the court of public opinion more often than not creates the demise of the defendant. So how does this brilliant defense attorney hide his client from the court of public opinion? Well by having him conduct a phone interview on primetime television, of course!
Do I feel as though Jerry Sandusky is innocent? Not exactly. I've been all too close to sexual abuse scandals like this and the allegations in the indictment are eerily similar to what I've seen in the past. But what Amendola did by letting his client speak out is not only poor counsel, it's a ludicrous move in Sandusky's defense case that holds no merit whatsoever and just further allowed for negative opinions on the man to be reinforced. When a man immediately repeats the question, word for word, after he is asked it, he doesn't look like a man too confident in his response. Sandusky did this more than once. Joe Amendola, just hide your client, please. You've already disgraced your character enough by representing him, now just be a good defense lawyer and stop trying to celebratize yourself and your client by appearing on NBC.
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