Bid to delay Sandusky trial denied

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BELLEFONTE, Pa., Feb. 29 (UPI) -- A request by former Penn State assistant football Coach Jerry Sandusky to delay the start of his child-sex abuse trial was denied Wednesday.

Superior Court Judge John Cleland turned down a bid by Sandusky's attorneys to push back the scheduled May 14 start of jury selection to mid-July.

Cleland rejected the request even though it wasn't challenged by prosecutors, ruling that postponing the start of a trial should only be a "last resort, and granted only after all other attempts to remedy the impediments to the conduct of a prompt trial have been exhausted."

Sandusky's attorneys said they needed more time to locate and interview witnesses, and accommodate those who won't be available to testify in May.

Sandusky faces 52 counts of felony and misdemeanor sexual offenses against children.

The longtime defensive coordinator for the late Coach Joe Paterno has denied the charges.