US gymnastics team doctor Nassar will spend up to 175 years in prison
Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina last night sentenced Larry Nassar, former doctor for the US gymnastics team, to 175 years in jail for sexual assault.
“All of the crimes, the depth of them have cut into the core of this community and many communities in all of the families and people we don’t even know,” Judge Aquilina said.
She said handing down his sentence was a “privilege” and told Nassar: “I just signed your death warrant.”
More than 160 girls and women came forward in his sentencing hearing to tell their stories of abuse.
Nassar is still awaiting final sentence on three of the 10 charges against him.
He was employed for decades by Michigan State University and had already been sentenced to 60 years in prison after pleading guilty to child pornography charges.
The last victim to testify yesterday, Rachael Denhollander, was the first to come forward publicly with allegations against Nassar.
She reported him to Michigan State University police in 2016 and told her story to the Indianapolis Star.
Ms Denhollander testified that Nassar began abusing her in 2000 when she was 15.
“As we were being sexually violated, Larry was sexually aroused by our humiliation,” she said.
Judge Aquilina, who has expressed support for the victims, told Ms Denhollander that she had “started the tidal wave.”
“You are the bravest person I have ever had in my courtroom,” the judge said.
Like star gymnast Aly Raisman, many victims criticised the inaction of US Olympics and gymnastics officials, and Michigan State University.
Raisman, who won Olympic team gold in 2012 and 2016 and the 2012 floor exercise gold medal, noted that the first allegations against Nassar came before the Rio Olympics.
“Survivors courageously came forward sharing stories of sexual abuse and alleging organisational mishandling, ”she wrote on Twitter.
“The next day, the USOC said they wouldn’t investigate.”
On day five of the hearing, more victims spoke, including Taylor Livingston, who called life a chore and “constant fight” because of the guilt she felt for concealing the abuse from her father, who died last year.
“When you die, you’re going to hell,” she told Nassar. “But there will be a pitstop on the way where you’ll have to face my dad, who now knows what you’ve done. And when you do, you will suffer.”
Emma Ann Miller, 15, described Nassar’s actions in a supply closet during a 2016 medical appointment. The clinic, she said, was still trying to bill her family for the appointment.
“I’m possibly the last child you will ever assault,” she told Nassar.
He apologised to his victims, saying: “Your words have had a significant emotional effect to myself and shaken me to my core. An acceptable apology to all of you is impossible to write or say. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.”
Judge Aquilina responded by reading aloud portions of a letter Nassar wrote her after his guilty plea, saying that his victims had “fabricated” allegations to gain money and fame.
“This letter tells me you still do not own what you did,” she said. “I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir.”