Judge will hear recantation of sexual abuse claim against ex-Penn State coach Jerry Sandusky

BELLEFONTE, Pa. (AP) — A judge has granted a hearing to explore claims that a man wants to recant allegations of sexual abuse years ago by Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky.

Sandusky, 82, has been serving a decades-long prison sentence since he was convicted of 45 counts of sexual abuse involving multiple boys in 2012. He has repeatedly lost efforts to get a new trial.

A man identified in court documents as R.R. said he was coached extensively by authorities.

“I was told — both directly and indirectly — that trauma may have fragmented my memory, and that I could safely affirm details I did not fully recall. I was assured this was common and even expected,” R.R. said in an affidavit filed by Sandusky's attorneys.

A court hearing in Centre County has been scheduled for Sept. 8. Messages left with his attorneys were not immediately returned Friday. State prosecutors said Sandusky's petition is untimely.

Sandusky coached the defense at one of the country's top football programs under Hall of Fame head coach Joe Paterno. The scandal led to Paterno's firing, and the university paid more than $100 million to people who said they had been abused by Sandusky. He has repeatedly declared his innocence.

“I apologize that I’m unable to admit remorse for this because it’s something that I didn’t do,” Sandusky said during a 2019 court appearance.

Authorities said Sandusky found and groomed victims at The Second Mile, a charity that he started for at-risk youth. Eight young men testified against him.

At trial, R.R. was 25 years old. He testified that he was 11 when Sandusky performed oral sex in the coach's basement in 1998, a transcript shows.

“He told me that if I told anybody that I would never see my family again,” said R.R., who was in foster care at the time.

Sandusky later apologized and said “he loved me,” R.R. testified.

FILE - Former Penn State University assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky arrives at the Centre County Courthouse, Friday, Nov. 22, 2019, in Bellefonte, Pa. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Nashville International Airport would be renamed for Dolly Parton under a proposal announced Friday by Tennessee’s governor.

Gov. Bill Lee proposed the name change just days after the country music icon died Tuesday of cancer at age 80. It echoes the wishes of more than 150,000 Parton fans who have signed an online petition to rename the airport.

"At a place where Tennessee welcomes the world, it is fitting that Nashville International Airport would bear the name of our state’s favorite daughter and greet travelers with the enduring legacy of Dolly’s music, generosity, faith, and kindness,” Lee said in a statement.

Lee said he’s already discussed the idea with representatives for Parton.

Born in poverty in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Parton became an icon whose popularity crossed generational, geographic and political boundaries. In addition to writing and recording hit songs such as “Jolene” and “I Will Always Love You,” she starred in Hollywood films including “9 to 5” and “Steel Magnolias.”

The change could require the Metro Nashville Airport Authority to revisit its naming policy. The policy currently states that airport properties should only be named for people who have been dead for at least two years.

The governor’s office said his proposal and the naming policy will be discussed by the airport authority at its meeting Sept. 17.

Flowers, cards and balloons are seen at a memorial outside the home of the late Dolly Parton, Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026, in Brentwood, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

A plane flies over Nashville, Tenn., towing a banner reading “change.org/DollyPartonAirport” as part of an effort to rename the airport after Dolly Parton, Friday, Aug. 28, 2026. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)