BELLEFONTE, Penn. (CNN) — The defense for Jerry Sandusky rested its case on Wednesday without calling him to the stand.
CNN reported Sandusky was fully prepped and ready to testify, according to a person with knowledge of the case. Sandusky’s attorney told reporters on Tuesday to “stay tuned” to see if his client will testify in the case that has upended Penn State University and its football program.
“You have to wait,” attorney Joe Amendola said just before entering the Pennsylvania courthouse and calling witnesses for a second day.
Sandusky, 68, is on trial on 51 counts related to accusations of sexually abusing 10 boys over a 15-year span. He has denied the charges.
Sandusky’s wife told jurors Tuesday that she could remember at least six of her husband’s accusers staying overnight at their house. She said she did not witness any sexual abuse.
One of the accusers had once traveled with them to the Alamo Bowl, Dottie Sandusky said, where she and her husband shared a hotel room with the boy. Many of the accusers testified that they knew Dottie Sandusky, who is not accused of having witnessed sexual abuse. She testified that children would often sleep at the Sanduskys’ house and that “we would give them a choice of where they wanted to sleep.”
Her husband was also typically the one to put the children to sleep, she said, telling jurors that “he would go downstairs and tell them good night.”
Questions about Sandusky’s mental health continue to loom over the proceedings.
Dr. Elliot Atkins testified that he had diagnosed Sandusky with histrionic personality disorder after interviewing the former coach. But a second psychologist, Dr. John O’Brien, disputed those findings Tuesday, saying that the “personality profile Mr. Sandusky exhibited was within normal limits.”
The prosecution had earlier presented as evidence what one accuser described as “creepy love letters,” written by Sandusky. They argued the letters were part of “grooming techniques” commonly employed by sexual predators.
Judge Cleland issued an order Friday allowing a defense motion to offer expert testimony from a psychologist who “will explain that the words, tones, requests and statements made in the letters are consistent with a person who suffers from a histrionic personality disorder.”
“The goal of a person suffering from this disorder in writing those letters would not necessarily be to groom or sexually consummate a relationship in a criminal manner, but rather to satisfy the needs of a psyche belabored by the needs of such a disorder,” the defense lawyers wrote in their motion.
Histrionic personality disorder is part of a class of conditions called dramatic personality disorders, which are marked by unstable emotions and distorted self-images, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Separately, after being subpoenaed by prosecutors, NBC News provided court officials with transcripts and footage of a Bob Costas interview with the former coach, according to NBC spokeswoman Amy Lynn.
“I didn’t go around seeking out every young person for sexual needs that I’ve helped,” the former coach told the NBC sportscaster in an interview segment that wasn’t part of the November 2011 broadcast, but has since been aired.
Sandusky said there are likely “many young people who would come forward and say that my methods and what I had done for them made a very positive impact on their life.”
Closing arguments could begin as soon as Thursday, with the prosecution’s rebuttal expected to follow the end of the defense’s case Wednesday.
CNN’s Susan Candiotti, Dana Garrett and Laura Dolan contributed to this report.