Statement Analysis®

Jerry Sandusky's Sentencing


On October 9, 2012, Jerry Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison for his June convictions of molesting 10 boys. At his sentencing, Sandusky addressed the court saying,

"They can make me out to be a monster. They can treat me as a monster. But they can't take away my heart. In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged and disgusting acts."

People will sometimes refer to the heart in an effort to be sincere; "I am speaking from the heart." We know this is just an expression and that the heart is not capable of thinking or reasoning. When Sandusky says, "In my heart" he is essentially saying, "In my mind." Saying, "In my mind I did not do this" is different than saying, "I did not do this." People can sometimes block things out to the point they do not remember. We can believe that in his mind Sandusky did not molest those boys. However, reality and Sandusky's own language indicates he did it.

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