BELLEFONTE, Pa. — Defiant and unrepentant, Jerry Sandusky blasted Penn State, his accusers and the news media Monday in a taped jailhouse statement the day before he is to be sentenced on 45 counts of child sexual abuse.

The former assistant football coach blamed a “well-orchestrated” conspiracy for putting him behind bars and questioned whether any good could come from the publicity his case has received.

“They can take away my life. They can make me out as a monster. They can treat me as a monster, but they can’t take away my heart,” Sandusky said, his voice measured and assertive. “In my heart, I know I did not do these alleged disgusting acts.”