The child sex abuse trial of former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky got underway with opening arguments today, putting the explosive case that has riveted the United States back in the public spotlight.
Eight young men are prepared to testify in Centre County Court about how Mr Sandusky (68) befriended and sexually abused them as boys over a 15-year period. The men, now aged 18 to 28, will be identified publicly for the first time in court.
Mr Sandusky, a former defensive coordinator for Pennsylvania State University, faces 52 counts of sexual abuse against 10 boys.
If convicted he could be sentenced to more than 500 years in prison. Clad in a tan suit, Mr Sandusky arrived at the courthouse more than a half hour before proceedings were due to begin.
Asked by a reporter how he was feeling, he gave a little grin and nodded but said nothing. Victor Vieth, executive director of the National Child Protection Training
Centre, said Mr Sandusky's attorney, Joe Amendola, would try to attack the accusers' believability but would face a tough task.
The long gap between the alleged abuses and reporting them "only adds to their credibility," said Mr Vieth, a former Minnesota prosecutor.
They have hired lawyers and five had sought unsuccessfully to testify under pseudonyms, "and I think that will come across to the jurors," he said.
Prosecutors allege Mr Sandusky had physical contact with the boys, known in court documents as Victims 1 to 10, that ranged from tickling and a "soap battle" in Penn State showers to oral and anal sex.
The abuse charges shook the university and prompted the firing of revered football coach Joe Paterno and university president Graham Spanier in November 2011.The allegations brought an ignominious end to the career of Mr Paterno, who recorded more wins in major college football than any other coach.
He died of lung cancer in January, about two months after being fired. His widow Sue and son Jay may be called as witnesses for Mr Sandusky.
Mr Sandusky has laid out a potential defense, saying in an NBC television interview in November that he engaged in horseplay with alleged victims but stopped short of sexual intercourse or penetration.
Reuters