That's why I said that I don't know for certain what I would do in McQaery's position. I don't. I know what I'd hope I'd do. But its possible that I might be too shocked, or too overwhelmed, or too frightened. I don't claim to be particularly brave. But I hope that having heard of horrors where people did nothing my whole life, that I would have the courage to do something.
However, I am pretty sure what I'd do in Paterno's position, and I'll tell you why. Because, not only is it the right thing to do, the only moral thing to do, its also in my self interest. Things like this always come out. Always. And when they do, everyone who knew is in deep, deep crap. So, not only would I do it because to do otherwise is completely wrong, I'd do it because that's the right thing to do for my employer and myself. So, in Paterno's position, I'd raise hell . . because it would not only be wrong not to (and it would be very, very wrong), it would be stupid. Can I be sure of what I would do? No. I don't think anyone can be. And its sort of a nightmare situation.
I'll also observe that this is not a case of the bystander effect (which is what you saw in the restaurant), except perhaps to the extent that McQuery did not immediately intervene. Ok, fine, he was too shocked, and he didn't know what do to, so he left and called his father. I can believe that, actually. He was just totally flummoxed, and he called the person he trusted most for help. Not brave, not noble, but human.
But then he told. He told a number of people. None of whom did anything. None of whom told him to call the police for Christ's sake. That's not the bystander effect, that's a cover up.