Case of rapist doctor’s superior at MSU goes to jury

LANSING, Mich. — A former dean who had oversight of now-imprisoned sports doctor Larry Nassar at Michigan State University did nothing to enforce examining-room restrictions imposed on him after a sexual misconduct complaint, a prosecutor said Tuesday.

The defense countered that William Strampel never willfully neglected his job duties.

Jurors began deliberating Tuesday after more than two hours of closing arguments in the trial of the 71-year-old Strampel, who led the College of Osteopathic Medicine for about 15 years before being forced out. He is accused of failing to ensure that Nassar followed the protocols, abusing his public office to sexually proposition and make explicit comments to female students, and inappropriately touching two on the buttocks. If convicted of the most serious charge, a felony, he could face up to 15 years in prison.

He was the first person charged after Michigan’s attorney general launched an investigation 1½ years ago into how Michigan State handled complaints against Nassar, who pleaded guilty in 2017 to molesting patients and possessing child pornography. Ex-university President Lou Anna Simon and former women’s gymnastics coach Kathie Klages face charges of lying to investigators.

During Strampel’s trial, which began May 30, multiple former medical students testified about sexual comments he made during one-onone meetings. Women who worked as model patients during exams also testified about unprofessional and sexual comments.

Investigators said Strampel’s work computer was found to contain photos of nude and semi-nude young women with Michigan State logo piercings or clothing.

Jurors will return for additional deliberations Wednesday.