Halo removed from Paterno mural

Artist felt halo had to go after Freeh report

Updated: Sunday, 15 Jul 2012, 10:22 AM EDT
Published : Saturday, 14 Jul 2012, 5:17 PM EDT

STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (AP) — An artist has removed a halo from a mural of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno amid the school's child sex-abuse scandal.

Michael Pilato had put a halo over Paterno's image after the beloved coach's death in January, but said he felt he had to remove it Saturday after a report that Paterno, former university president Graham Spanier and others buried allegations of child sex-abuse against ex-assistant Jerry Sandusky. Paterno's family denies the claim.

Pilato added a large blue ribbon, instead, on Paterno's lapel symbolizing support for child abuse victims, a cause the artist said Paterno had endorsed.

Pilato earlier removed Sandusky from the downtown mural. He said he hasn't made a decision on Spanier's image. Spanier has not been charged. Sandusky has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing.

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