After twenty-one hours of deliberation and nearly three weeks in court, the jury has handed down their verdict: former Penn State assistant coach Jerry Sandusky is guilty on 45 of 48 counts of sexual abuse on young boys over a 15-year span.  Although no sentence has been given, and won't be for 90 days, it is expected that Sandusky will serve the full life sentence for his atrocious crimes.

A picture can speak a thousand words; the one above doesn't need nearly as many.  The monster who haunted and ruined the lives of young boys is finally receiving the punishment he rightfully deserves.  Here is a man (and I use that word very loosely) who preyed on underprivileged youths; the acts they were forced into too graphic for me to describe here on SUMO.  A man who probably expected his clout as a collegiate football coach to protect him from the long arms of the law, being led away from the courtroom in handcuffs as a judge must decide his fate.

It's very likely, damn near guaranteed, that the 68-year-old will live out the remainder of his life behind barbed-wire fences and cold, steel bars.  The dark, dreary cell of a prison will become his new home.  His family will be forced to see him for what he really is: a sodomizing, child abusing monster finally punished for his actions.

Our country has been gripped by the case since news broke last fall of the allegations, which resulted in the firing of head coach Joe Paterno and other high-ranking members of the Penn State community.  We were rocked as, again and again, more young men came forward to charge their abuser with harrowing crimes of unspeakable weight.  Now, after months of speculation, hearsay, and courtroom testimonies, we have our verdict: guilty.

For now, justice has been served.  In about three months, we will see if Sandusky is escorted to prison for the next 150 years.  Keep with SUMO, we'll update you as more news develops.