Former Penn State Coach Jerry Sandusky Appears in Court as he Seeks to Appeal Conviction

— -- Former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky appeared in a Pennsylvania courtroom today seeking to appeal his child-sex abuse conviction. Through a statement his attorney read, following the court proceedings today, he said, “my slate is clean of these alleged heinous crimes."

In 2012, Sandusky was sentenced to 30 to 60 years in prison for the sexual abuse of 10 boys, following tearful testimony from his victims.

Sandusky's new attorneys are claiming he was wrongly convicted and are asking the judge to throw out the charges or grant him a new trial, according to The Associated Press.

This morning, officers led an orange jumpsuit-clad Sandusky into a Centre County, Pennsylvania courthouse, near Penn State University's State College campus. During the proceedings, his attorneys asked Judge John Cleland to grant permission for a new hearing to further question witnesses, including Sandusky's former lawyers, about the investigation and trial.

Sandusky added in the statement read by a member of his legal team: "I could write a book about what has happened; unmask accusers; demonstrate improprieties; present illegalities; show unfairness; reveal deception , dishonesty, and corruption. Instead, I'm presenting a quick summary, knowing there is much more to the story."

"I am an innocent man serving what amounts to a life sentence," the statement said. “People have betrayed, attacked, and vilified family, supporters, and me. To counter their story they must be presented in an adverse manner; people may be exposed in an unfavorable light. Revenge is not my motivation, presenting our side of the story is."

His current defense team argued that Sandusky's former council was ineffective and failed to advise him of available options, including declining to testify in court. The defense also criticized Sandusky's former defense for allowing him to be interviewed by Bob Costas.

Defense attorneys want to question witnesses, prosecutors, Sandusky’s former attorneys and the man referred to by prosecutors as “Victim 2.”

But Prosecutor Jennifer Peterson said "most, if not all" of the defense's arguments don't require an evidentiary hearing and could be addressed by the existing record, according to The AP.

Judge Cleland did not make a decision today but warned the defense that the he needs sufficient reason to continue with a hearing and it could not be a fishing expedition.

“The law is very clear," Cleland said to the defense, according to The AP. “You have to give me a certification of, if I have a hearing, 'Judge, this is who I'm going to put on the stand and this is what they're going to say.'"

The judge did not set a date for ruling on Sandusky’s motions.

If his sentence stands, Sandusky, now 72, would be 98 at his earliest possible release date.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.