Pedophile Olympic gymnast doctor, Larry Nassar, has been sentenced to 175 years in prison after Judge Rosemarie Aquilina symbolically destroyed a letter Nassar had written last week, insisting that 156 of his victims were only after money, and that his molestation of the young girls was all “medical”.
During the seven day trial at Ingha County Court, countless young girls took to the stand to describe the molestation and recounted their experiences of horror and emotional distress as to what Lawrence G. Nassar did to them whilst being the USA’s Olympic gymnast doctor, as well as his time running a clinic at Michigan State University for more than a decade.
Michigan State University President, Lou Anna Simon, has also resigned after ignoring complaints about Larry Nassar over a decade ago, with representatives from Michigan House voting for her resignation with 96 to 11 vote.
Michigan State University President Lou Anna Simon resigns, amidst Larry Nassar’s sexual molestation of children. Credit: Getty Images
Larry Nassar, 54, must now serve a minimum of 40 years (maximum of 175 years) for the unspeakable sexual crimes he committed on these on young girls aged between 6 years old and upwards to their early teens. Nassar was already facing 60 years in prison for child pornography charges from a sentencing in December, and now he’s been passed down with the sentence which will keep him in prison until death.
Before sentencing, Nassar read a tearful apology to the court, “Your words these past several days, your words, have had a significant emotional effect on myself and has shaken me to my core”.
Larry Nassar upon his sentencing. Credit: Reuters
However, Judge Aquilina, referring to a letter she received last week, read out to the court: “I was a good doctor, because my treatments worked and those patients that are now speaking out were the same ones that praised and came back. Now [the victims] are seeking the media attention and financial reward.”
Technically, after his 60 years for child pornography, the minimum of 40 years served to gain access to parole will come into effect, with his maximum sentence predicted to be 125 years if he is declined. However, Judge Aquilina went further and handed and extra 50 years on top, sending a clear message in this most public court case on acts of pedophilia.
Nassar read out to the court before sentencing: “I [also] realize what I’m feeling pales in comparison. I will carry you words with me for the rest of my days.”
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina getting her point across. Credit: ABCnews
Judge Aquilina further slammed the apology by Nassar whilst reading from his letter from the prior week, “What I did in the state cases was medical, not sexual, but because of the [federal porn conviction] I lost all credibility”.
Needless to say, the judge wasn’t having it (and rightly so), telling the court, “As much as it was my honor and privilege to hear the sister survivors, it is my honor and privilege to sentence you. Because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again.”
Nassar’s letter also read: “I was so manipulated by the Attorney General and now Aquilina, and all I wanted was to minimize stress to everyone.”
Judge Aquilina reads Nassar’s letter to the court. Credit: Reuters
Judge Aquilina had reached her breaking point and stopped, asked Nassar, “Would you like to withdraw your guilty plea?” with Nassar shaking his head, before continuing, “Because you are guilty, correct?” asked Aquilina.
“I’ve said my plea.” said Nasser.
“You, sir, decided on a plea because there was no medical treatment. You did this for your own pleasure” Aquilina responded. “This letter tells me you have still not owned what it is that you did. That you still think you’re right, a doctor.” Judge Aquilina then declared, “I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir”
A 175 years for Larry Nassar, “I’ve just signed your death warrant” said Judge Aquilina. Credit: EPA
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, then sentenced Nassar with the following announcement, “It is my privilege – on counts 1, 2, 5, 8, 10 and 18 and 24 – to sentence you to 40 years. I’m going to look at my cheat sheet. Forty years, just so you know and you can count it off your calendar, is 480 months. The tail end, because I need to send a message to the parole board in the event somehow God is gracious and I know he is — and you survive the 60 years in federal court first and then you start on my 40 years. You’ve gone off the page here as to what I’m doing. My page only goes to 100 years. Sir, I’m giving you 175 years, which is 2100 months. I’ve just signed your death warrant”.
Rachael Denhollander was the first gymnast to file a criminal complaint against Larry Nassar, and was also the last to speak out about Nassar’s sexual abuse before his sentencing.
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina definitely handed down a just sentence, and now the many young girls and women can try to get their lives back together somehow, after Nassar’s horrible crimes against them while under his care.
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Featured Photo Credit: Reuters