Over the course of the month, we have been following the case against former U.S.A Gymnastics and Michigan State University doctor, Larry Nassar on multiple counts of child molestation, sexual assault, and sexual abuse. The accused who pleaded guilty to seven counts of felony first-degree criminal sexual conduct in November has now learned his fate as a sentence has been handed to him.
Dr Nassar had been sexually abusing girls for years under the guise of medical treatment but he has now been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina in Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing, Michigan.
The sentence came after weeks of emotional testimonies from his victims, some of whom were members of the USA 2016 women Olympics team. The judge while sentencing Nassar had said: “It is my honour and privilege to sentence you because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again, I’ve just signed your death warrant.” The judge also awarded restitution to all of the survivors and withdrew his medical license asking him not to treat anybody in prison as he was no longer a doctor.
There was rejoicing in the courtroom as Nassar was taken out of the room as many of the people in attendance hugged and clapped in joy. Also, apart from his current sentence, Nassar already had a 60 years sentencing for pleading guilty to child pornography. He had had about 150 survivors come to deliver impact statements or have them read in court, including one from McKayla Maroney, Simone Biles, and Aly Raisman, all members of the Olympic team and Olympic medalists.
Before Nassar’s sentencing, he addressed the court saying: “Your words these past several days…have had a significant emotional effect on myself and have shaken me to my core. I also recognize that what I am feeling pales in comparison to the pain trauma and emotional destruction that all of you are feeling. There are no words to describe the depth and breadth of how sorry I am for what has occurred. An acceptable apology to all of you is impossible to write and convey. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”