Updated

BELLEFONTE, Pennsylvania (Reuters) - The jury in the child sexual abuse trial of former Penn State football coach Jerry Sandusky began deliberations on Thursday in a case that has captured national attention.

The onetime coach is accused of abusing 10 boys over a 15-year period, sometimes in Pennsylvania State University locker rooms. Sandusky faces more than 500 years in prison if convicted on all counts.

Before deliberations began, the jury of seven women and five men heard closing arguments from the prosecution and defense lawyers.

Earlier in Thursday's session, Judge John Cleland gave final instructions the jury, telling them a sex abuse conviction must be based on more than whether a child "feels uncomfortable."

(Reporting by Ian Simpson; Editing by Paul Thomasch)