One of the highest-interest trials of our lifetime begins Monday.
Unless you've been living in a cave - and even most caves probably now have some sort of wireless access - you're no doubt aware that Jerry Sandusky has been charged with 52 counts of child abuse.
The Mirror's coverage from the Centre County Courthouse in Bellefonte will be anchored by veteran reporter Phil Ray - Ray's hometown, by the way - and police reporter Greg Bock.
Additional staff members may be pressed into service as the case unfolds.
The original plan called for Bock to blog and tweet as the trial unfolded, but Judge John Cleland has unfortunately nixed any real-time electronic transmissions.
Consequently, periodic updates will have to wait until various recesses, at which point with help from The Associated Press, we'll update you on altoonamirror.com and funnel that information to Facebook and Twitter.
Most media, including the Mirror, have standards that preclude listing the names of victims.
It's highly likely through the anonymous message boards that the names of the victims will get out. That's unfortunate but is part of the world we're in.
The Mirror will not publish them in our print editions.
Local defense attorney Robert Donaldson will provide legal insights into our coverage daily. Donaldson also has experience as a prosecutor so we think his background makes sense, and we appreciate his willingness to offer expertise. Plus, those of us in the ProCare Men's Social Tennis Club know it will be better than his backhand (not that mine's all that good, either).
Along the lines of levity, it was surprising that Sandusky provided some on what turned out to be the final day of jury selection Tuesday when he asked a couple of media members, "What did you do to deserve me?"
It's good he's still smiling because - eventually after the three-week trial ends - he'll surely need his sense of humor.
Sandusky's lead attorney, Joe Amendola, has attempted to delay the trial a half-dozen times, only to be rebuffed.
That doesn't indicate the defense team is overly confident.
The wrinkles in Sandusky's forehead make it appear that he's aged 10 years in the last seven months - and that he has plenty to worry about.
Rightfully so: We're talking about someone whose alleged acts will lead a jury to hear from a series of alleged victims about a reported pattern of disturbing behavior.
Those of us who have known Sandusky over the years hope it's not true.
But the Attorney General's Office seems to have amassed a mountain of evidence.
And regardless of how it turns out, no one will be laughing - not when the allegations being made are this serious.
Mirror Managing Editor Neil Rudel can be reached at 946-7527 or nrudel@altoonamirror.com.
