Larry Nassar sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison for sexual assault
By Matt Morrow
Dr. Larry Nassar’s trial over the past week consisted of over 150 victim statements. Today, he received his sentence.
On Jan. 24, 2018, Larry Nassar was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison. As reported by ESPN, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told the defendant, “you do not deserve to walk outside a prison ever again” and “I just signed your death warrant” while delivering his sentence.
The week-long trial of the former team physician for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State included over 150 statements from women and girls, including Olympians Aly Raisman and Jordyn Weiber, who alleged Nassar abused them over the past two decades.
Shortly before sentencing, Judge Aquilina read aloud a letter that Nassar wrote to the court. When finished, she proceeded to toss the letter to the side. The letter included such statements from Nassar as “the media convinced them that everything I did was wrong and bad” and “the stories that are being fabricated to sensationalize this.”
He even went as far as saying “I was so manipulated…and all I wanted to do was minimize stress to everyone.”
According to ESPN, Nassar’s behavior during most of the week-long trial consisted of bowing his head, crying periodically, or writing things on a notepad. However, he did verbally address the courtroom before his sentencing and, per the Detroit Free Press, said he felt remorse:
"I also recognize that what I’m feeling pales in comparison to the pain and trauma and emotional destruction you are all feeling…It’s impossible to write and convey. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days."
Nassar was previously sentenced to 60 years in prison for possession of child pornography on Dec. 7, 2017, and his latest sentence will be served after that expires. He’ll be first eligible for parole in 2117. Nassar pleaded guilty to 10 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in November and the Jan. 24 sentencing pertains to the seven counts that occurred in Ingham County, Michigan. He will be sentenced next week in nearby Eaton County for the three remaining counts.
Additionally, lawyers met Wednesday morning to establish next steps for the civil suit against Nassar, Michigan State and USA Gymnastics. The attorney general of Michigan will also review the case to determine if there will be criminal cases brought against anyone who enabled Nassar.
In the days of the victim impact statements and following them, survivors from across the country have shared their stories outside the courtroom, lead by Olympic gymnasts Simone Biles and McKayla Maroney. Aly Raisman spoke on the Today Show to raise awareness of sexual assault and tell her story. While Nassar will be in prison for the rest of his life, survivors are using this to let other girls know they aren’t alone and to encourage them to speak up.