By the CNN Wire Staff
(CNN) - Reaction to Friday night's verdict at the child rape trial of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky. A jury found him guilty of 45 charges and not guilty of three charges.
COMPLETE COVERAGE: Jury finds Jerry Sandusky guilty in child sex abuse trial
Pennsylvania Attorney General Linda Kelly:
"I want to give my sincere thanks to the brave men who came forward to testify during this trial and finally put a stop to the crimes committed by this defendant. They showed great strength and courage."
"One of the recurring themes of the witnesses' testimony is 'who would believe a kid?' The answer is, we here in Bellefonte, Pennsylvania, would believe a kid."
"This is a crime that thrives in darkness ... where predators carefully seek the most vulnerable prey."
Joe Amendola, co-counsel for Sandusky:
"The Sandusky family is very disappointed by the verdict of the jury but we respect their verdict."
"We were trying to climb Mount Everest from the bottom of the mount. Obviously, we didn't make it."
"It was the expected outcome because of the overwhelming evidence against Jerry Sandusky."
Karl Rominger, co-counsel for Sandusky:
"We knew whatever the jury's verdict was we would honor it. Jerry rose. I saw tears in his eyes."
Penn State University
"The legal process has spoken and we have tremendous respect for the men who came forward to tell their stories publicly. No verdict can undo the pain and suffering caused by Mr. Sandusky, but we do hope this judgment helps the victims and their families along their path to healing.
"The Board of Trustees and current administration maintain a steadfast commitment to pursuing the truth regarding Mr. Sandusky's actions. While we cannot change what happened, we can and do accept the responsibility to take action on the societal issue of child sexual abuse -- both in our community and beyond. The University is committed to ensuring that our campuses are safe for children and to being a constructive participant in building greater awareness of child sexual abuse and the practical steps that can be undertaken to prevent, report and respond to such abuse. ...
"The University plans to invite victims of Mr. Sandusky's abuse to participate in a program to facilitate the resolution of claims against the University arising out of Mr. Sandusky's conduct. The purpose of the program is simple -- the University wants to provide a forum where the University can privately, expeditiously and fairly address the victims' concerns and compensate them for claims relating to the University."
Road to Recovery (a charity that assists survivors of sexual abuse):
"The jury of Sandusky's peers believed the victims and those who witnessed the crimes of a man who preyed on children for decades. We congratulate his adopted son for coming forward and exposing further sexual abuse by his stepfather. Victims have won tonight and abuse, cover-up, obfuscation, and deceit by Sandusky and the Penn State University community have been exposed."
Attorneys Justine Andronici and Andrew Shubin, representing two victims:
"Today a jury did what so many other people and institutions failed to do -- they held Jerry Sandusky accountable for sexually abusing children. This jury broke years of silence about Sandusky's systematic targeting, grooming and abuse of children and finally delivered justice.
"The verdict is a direct result of the victims' inspiring courage. The victims' provided heart-wrenching accounts of abuse, manipulation and betrayal by one of the most powerful and protected members of this community.
"We believe this case represents a turning point on the issue of childhood sexual abuse in this community and in the nation. Because of these brave men, the public now knows much more about the horrors of childhood sexual abuse, better understands the challenges survivors face, and more fully appreciates the importance of holding child sexual abuse offenders and all those who protect them accountable."
The family of the late Penn State football coach Joe Paterno
"Although we understand the task of healing is just beginning, today's verdict is an important milestone. The community owes a measure of gratitude to the jurors for their diligent service. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with the victims and their families."
The mother of Victim 6
"Nobody wins. We"ve all lost."
