Larry Nassar sentenced to 175 years for sexual abuse
‘I’ve just signed your death warrant,’ judge tells former US Olympic doctor
The former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was handed a prison sentence of 40 to 175 years yesterday for decades of sexual abuse of young female gymnasts.
Nassar served as team physician during four Olympic Games, stepping down from the position last September.
The sentence followed seven days of “wrenching testimony” from 156 of Nassar’s victims, who went to him for treatment for injuries “only to be sexually assaulted and told it was a form of treatment”, CNN reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
During sentencing, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina “scoffed at the apology Nassar offered his victims” and said he would be required to make restitution to them, says ABC.
The judge also read from a letter Nassar had sent the court after he pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual misconduct in Ingham County. In it, Nassar stated that he had been “manipulated” into admitting his guilt and said the accusations against him were “fabricated” to gain money and fame.
“You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again,” Aquilina told Nassar. “I've just signed your death warrant.”
Nassar, who is already serving a 60-year prison sentence for possession of child pornography, is due to be sentenced for three further counts next week.
NBC News says “more than 150 lawsuits have been filed by Nassar’s accusers”, naming the doctor and several institutions where he practised, including Michigan State University.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 10, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - civic duty, uncertain waters, and more
By The Week US Published
-
5 ladylike cartoons about women's role in the election
Cartoons Artists take on the political gender gap, Lady Liberty, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The right to die: what can we learn from other countries?
The Explainer A look at the world's assisted dying laws as MPs debate Kim Leadbeater's proposed bill
By The Week Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published
-
Sandy Hook families vs. Remington: a small victory over the gunmakers
Speed Read Last week the families settled a lawsuit for $73m against the manufacturer
By The Week Staff Published
-
Farmers vs. walkers: the battle over ‘Britain’s green and pleasant land’
Speed Read Updated Countryside Code tells farmers: ‘be nice, say hello, share the space’
By The Week Staff Published
-
Motherhood: why are we putting it off?
Speed Read Stats show around 50% of women in England and Wales now don’t have children by 30
By The Week Staff Published
-
Anti-Semitism in America: a case of double standards?
Speed Read Officials were strikingly reluctant to link Texas synagogue attack to anti-Semitism
By The Week Staff Published