BELLEFONTE, Pa., Nov. 22 (UPI) -- All local judges with jurisdiction over the Penn State child sex abuse case have recused themselves, state court officials said Tuesday.
The Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts said all five judges on the Centre County Common Pleas Court have disqualified themselves from hearing legal cases involving former assistant football Coach Jerry Sandusky.
The administrative office said the moves were made to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest from connections to Sandusky, his Second Mile charity or the university.
Instead, court officials said Judge John Cleland of McKean County has been tapped to handle the case, in which Sandusky has been charged with 40 counts alleging he sexually abuse of boys he met through his charity.
Meanwhile, two new cases of alleged child abuse against Sandusky have been opened by child welfare officials, the Harrisburg (Pa.) Patriot-News reported.
Citing unnamed sources, the newspaper said the cases involving alleged victims who are currently under 18 years old were reported less than 60 days ago.
If credible, it would be the first indication of alleged crimes involving victims who are still minors -- other accusations against Sandusky have come from individuals who are now adults.
