BELLEFONTE, Pa. – Jerry Sandusky’s lawyers finished putting on their case Wednesday without calling the former Penn State assistant football coach to the stand to rebut child sex abuse allegations that could put him in prison for the rest of his life.

The sudden end to the defense’s presentation came on the seventh day of the trial, during which the jury heard from eight men – now 18 to 28 – who said the former coach sexually assaulted them after they met him through the charity he founded.

Sandusky is charged with 51 criminal counts for alleged abuse of 10 boys over 15 years. He has denied the allegations but acknowledged in interviews following his arrest that he had showered with boys.