Lawyer: Victims could become Penn State scapegoats

[marmar]

Lawyer: Victims could become Penn State scapegoats

By MARK SCOLFORO — Associated Press
Posted: 12:22pm on Nov 10, 2011; Modified: 3:23pm on Nov 10, 2011


HARRISBURG, Pa. — A lawyer who is advising some of those who reported being sexually abused by a former Penn State assistant football coach said he is worried that people angry about Joe Paterno's firing could turn them into scapegoats for the longtime coach's sudden departure.

Harrisburg attorney Ben Andreozzi said Thursday that he believes the university trustees did not consult with the victims before replacing the 84-year-old Paterno late Wednesday, a decision that prompted angry students to gather in downtown State College shouting support for the coach and tipping over a news van.

"These sexual assault victims are now watching people parade and riot around the streets," he said. "Now you have a football institution crumbling, and to think that is not in some way going to impact these victims is naive."

Andreozzi, who specializes in sexual abuse cases, said he has been working to provide therapy to some of the victims, but stopped short of saying he represents them in any potential civil matters. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.centredaily.com/2011/11/10/2981474/lawyer-victims-could-become-penn.html#ixzz1dLtzMBjd

[bluestateguy]

1. We'll see

You'd think if there was a scapegoat here it would be (let's see) Sandusky?

After Bobby Knight was fired the lynch mob descended upon the 18 year old freshman who mouthed off too him, causing Knight to lose his cool and get fired. And that situation was far less serious than what we have in Pennsylvania.

[Fumesucker]

2. Yes, I think that is a distinct possibility..

In fact I'll be somewhat surprised if it doesn't happen.

[virgogal]

3. They're parading in the streets because a "football institution"

is crumbling?

Silly me.I thought it was an institute for higher learning.

I also thought sex with children was more serious than a goddamned game.

Guess I'm out of the loop.

[abelenkpe]

4. I know huh?

I'm out of the loop too clearly...

[YellowRubberDuckie]

6. You call that a parade?

Where I come from, they call that a riot. :eyes:

[Wilms]

7. Not on NPR. They didn't call it a riot. It was a "protest".

And they skipped the part where a media vehicle was overturned.

[meow2u3]

9. The system turns the law on its head

Do you mean to tell me frat boys who vandalize a media van and throwing rocks and bottles at cops are protesters, but peaceful, unarmed OWs demonstrators are rioters? In what world? Fascist fantasyland?

[CreekDog]

11. you seem to be familiar with NPR news writing

:rofl:

[0rganism]

12. starting with the language

Impressive, isn't it? A popular football coach is fired for enabling child rape, and the mob of supporters running rampant is a "student protest", deserving of our full consideration and sympathy for the injustice of it all.

But when investment bankers and wealthy speculators conspire to loot the treasury and scam the entire middle and working classes, those in the resulting occupation movement are called every name in the book -- "rioters" being among the less prejudicial.

Yes, I think "Fascist fantasyland" sums it up nicely.

[Odin2005]

5. Ugh, reminds me of how bullies are coddled if they are on the footbal team.

:grr:

[bullwinkle428]

8. This is a hugely important point. None of the victims may feel

compelled to come forward, fearing things like death threats.

[roguevalley]

10. if this is true I hope PSU burns up. THey deserve the scorn of

the world if this happens.