Sandusky defense asks judge to dismiss child sex abuse charges

(CBS/AP) BELLEFONTE, Pa. - The judge in the child sex-abuse case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky said Thursday he will rule later on a number of issues,  including a defense request to have the charges dismissed.

Pictures: Who's who in the Penn State abuse scandal

During a 20-minute hearing Thursday, defense attorney Joe Amendola asked Judge John Cleland - should he deny the request - to do so without prejudice, so Amendola can raise it again later.

Prosecutors said more information about Sandusky's conduct could result from an ongoing grand jury investigation. Cleland met with attorneys behind closed doors after the hearing to set deadlines for disclosure of other information before trial, including anything resulting from the grand jury investigation.

Amendola also told the court that the attorneys for two key witnesses - Penn State athletic director Tim Curley and former vice president Gary Schultz - had informed him they would invoke the Fifth Amendment if called to testify at Sandusky's trial.

Curley and Schultz are charged with perjury and failing to report allegations of child abuse. Both have pleaded not guilty.

In a catch-all pretrial motion filed last month, Amendola argued some charges were not specific enough, that there was not enough evidence in some cases, and that the statute of limitations may have expired for others.

Sandusky, 68, faces 52 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over a 15-year period. He is on house arrest while awaiting trial and has repeatedly denied the charges.

Both sides agree that prospective jurors should be questioned individually, and sequestered during the trial now set to begin June 5.

Complete coverage of the Penn State sex abuse scandal on Crimesider