BELLEFONTE — Some local residents Thursday wanted to follow the Jerry Sandusky trial more closely — as in from inside the courtroom.

Sitting in the crowded room along with the media, they listened intently to closing arguments for both sides before the case went to the jury at about 1:15 p.m.

A compelling summation from Sandusky’s attorney, Joe Amendola, gave some pause. Others weren’t going to budge, their minds already made up.

Lynne Bradley, of Bellefonte, was there with her husband, Mitchell, and their daughter Aidyen.

“The defense was trying to justify, excuse Sandusky’s actions,” Lynne Bradley said. “They didn’t do a good job justifying.”

“I would be on the prosecution’s side,” she added. “I think the case is strong.”

Bradley, who works with young children, said the extra media attention raises awareness of child abuse, “for young people not to be afraid to come forward.”

When asked why her family came to the courthouse, she said, “Our town is the one being bombarded.”

Maggie Martz came from Mechanicsburg with her son. She said she thought the prosecution had done an excellent job making its case.

“I feel very positive about it. I am concerned, though, that it only takes one juror to have a hung jury and that this man is such an expert at conning everyone,” Martz said.

She said she plans to do her dissertation “on this entire tragedy” to see what policies need to be changed.

Tom Kline, an attorney for alleged victim No. 5, said his client has found the case very difficult.

“He is anxiously awaiting the verdict in this case,” Kline said.

Scott Vanderpool, a big Penn State fan, came all the way from DuBois for his last chance to check out the trial. He said both sides made compelling arguments.

“There were good, valid points on each side,” he said.

Susan Holbrook, of Bellefonte, described “an overall heaviness” in the room. “You could just hear a pin drop in there,” she said.

Holbrook, who came in with her mind made up of Sandusky’s guilt, said the defense presented a compelling closing argument. She said she thinks “the jury is going to feel there is room for doubt” after hearing the defense’s closing argument.

“It was very powerful,” she said. “I can’t say I changed my mind, but if I was on that jury, I would consider everything.”

Matt Carroll can be reached at 231-4631. Follow him on Twitter @Carrollreporter

Chris Rosenblum can be reached at 231-4620. Follow him on Twitter @CRosenblumNews