Ex-Penn St. assistant Sandusky convicted of abuse

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) - Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky's convictions on 45 child sex abuse counts will send him to prison for the rest of his life.

Jurors announced the verdict Friday night after weighing 48 charges accusing him of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period.

Sandusky has been led away to jail in handcuffs.

Defense attorney Joe Amendola says Sandusky is disappointed by the verdict. Many of the charges carry mandatory minimum sentences that will keep the 68-year-old Sandusky behind bars for decades. Amendola calls it a "life sentence.''

Meanwhile, Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly is thanking the accusers who testified, calling them "brave men.''

She says the trial was forced on them and that she hopes the verdict "helps these victims heal ... and helps other victims of abuse to come forward.''