Sandusky sex-abuse-trial opens

Jerry Sandusky
This Dec. 28, 1999 photo shows Penn State defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky on the sideline during the first quarter of the Alamo Bowl game against Texas A&M, in San Antonio, Texas.
AP Photo/Harry Cabluck

By MARK SCOLFORO and GENARO C. ARMAS, Associated Press

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) -- The wife and son of the late Joe Paterno are among the potential defense witnesses in Jerry Sandusky's child sex-abuse trial.

The names of Sue and Jay Paterno and members of Sandusky's family are on a list shown to prospective jurors Tuesday as jury selection began for the former Penn State assistant football coach.

Judge John Cleland tells the possible jurors that he doesn't intend to sequester them during the trial that's expected to take several weeks. The judge also has instructed the 240 potential jurors to avoid news accounts or social media posts.

Sandusky is in court during the jury selection process. Sandusky laughed at the judge's jokes, but put his head down when Cleland told jurors the nature of the charges.

Sandusky is accused of abusing 10 boys, charges he denies.