A Centre County, Pennsylvania, judge has rejected former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky’s latest attempt to overturn his convictions for sexually abusing children, ruling that his third petition for post-conviction relief was untimely and failed to establish grounds for a new trial.

In an opinion issued Friday, November 13, Judge Maureen A. Skerda explained why Sandusky’s legal challenges did not warrant relief. Sandusky filed the petition in September 2025, more than four years after his judgment became final, exceeding the filing deadline under Pennsylvania’s Post Conviction Relief Act.

Sandusky and his attorneys raised several allegations, including prosecutorial misconduct, manipulated witness testimony, issues involving the investigative work of former FBI Director Louis Freeh, and claims that alleged victims underwent repressed-memory therapy. The defense also alleged that prosecutors withheld information involving a therapist, potentially violating Sandusky’s constitutional right to a fair trial.

The judge rejected the arguments, concluding that they did not warrant an evidentiary hearing or post-conviction relief, even if the petition had been filed within the required timeframe.

The latest petition also included a claim that one of Sandusky’s accusers had recanted his testimony. The court had previously agreed to hold an evidentiary hearing on that allegation, but Sandusky’s attorneys withdrew the claim shortly before the scheduled proceedings. The petition was formally dismissed in September.

Prosecutors had prepared to challenge the alleged recantation with testimony from six witnesses and additional evidence. The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office also raised concerns that Sandusky’s defense team had not complied with a court order requiring the disclosure of materials related to the proposed testimony.

Sandusky, 82, was convicted in June 2012 of 45 counts involving the sexual abuse of boys and sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison. He was resentenced in 2019, with the same prison term upheld.

The former Penn State defensive coordinator coached at the university from 1969 to 1999 and founded The Second Mile, a charity for at-risk youth. Prosecutors said he used his position and access through the organization to sexually abuse children.

Sandusky has repeatedly challenged his convictions and continues to deny wrongdoing. His attorneys have indicated they intend to pursue further appeals, potentially seeking review in federal court.