Free Republic

BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Jerry Sandusky's effort to get his child molestation convictions thrown out ran into tough questioning Monday from a judge who voiced doubt about defense lawyers are entitled to question witnesses — including some of the former Penn State assistant football coach's victims. Judge John Cleland pressed Sandusky attorney Al Lindsay about whether there is sufficient basis for him to allow an evidentiary hearing now, nearly four years after a jury found Sandusky guilty of 45 sex-abuse counts.

SHOCKER STATEMENT COMING FROM A CHURCH THAT HAS HAD PROBLEMS WITH ABUSE: "Pope Francis called for "severe punishment" for pedophiles" Pope Francis called for "severe punishment" for pedophiles on Sunday after new details emerged in Italy of the 2014 death of a six-year-old girl who is alleged to have been thrown from an eighth-storey balcony by her abuser. "This is a tragedy. We should not tolerate the abuse of minors," Francis said, departing from prepared remarks at his weekly Sunday message and blessing to tens of thousands of people in St. Peter's Square. "We must protect minors and severely punish...