"I Just Signed Your Death Warrant": Ex-US Gymnastics Doctor Sentenced To 175 Years In Prison

Capping the rising tide of pervasive sex-abuse scandals unleashed by the recent takedown of Harvey Weinstein, moments ago the former USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University sports doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to between 40 and 175 years in prison for the sexual assault of dozens of girls.

The sentencing on seven charges of criminal sexual conduct in Ingham County, Michigan followed seven days of testimony from more than 150 current and former gymnasts who said Nassar molested them while professing to treat them for injuries.

“I just signed your death warrant" said Judge Rosemarie Aquilina after issuing the verdict and added that it was “honor and privilege” to sentence him Nassar.

"Your crime, all of your crimes, the depth of them, have cut into the core of this community and many communities," Aquilina said during the sentencing.

"You did this for your pleasure," she said after reading a letter by Nassar submitted to the court. “You still think that somehow you are right, that you are a doctor … I wouldn’t send my dogs to you, sir.”

“You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever,” she said.

Aquilina then addressed the gymnasts present, telling them, “You are no longer victims, you are survivors.”

Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree sex assault. He was already serving a 60-year sentence for child pornography convictions, and is still awaiting sentencing on three charges of criminal sexual conduct in Eaton County, Mich.

Speaking before the sentencing, Nassar addressed his victims who confronted him over the past week: "There are no words that can describe depth and breadth of how sorry I am,” he said. “I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days." 

However, the judge dismissed his remarks as insincere and read out a letter in which he claimed he was compelled and “manipulated” into pleading guilty. The courtroom audibly gasped as she read his letter aloud. She offered Nasser to change his plea, which he declined.
* * *

Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis said Wednesday that Nassar is “possibly the most prolific serial child sex abuser in history.”

"To each survivor, thank you,” she said. “Thank you for coming forward, for trusting us, for doing what is so hard and difficult. What is obvious is that a strong group of determined women can in fact change the world, and will.”
Among the victims who spoke at the sentencing were Olympic gymnasts Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney. Gymnasts Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles also accused Nassar of sexual assault.

Three members of USA Gymnastics’ top leadership stepped down earlier this week over the scandal, and the organization said earlier this month that it would move training facilities from Karolyi Ranch, where Nassar abused the girls.

The NCAA has also opened an investigation into Michigan State University’s handling of sexual abuse claims against Nassar. He was a doctor at the university from 1997-2016.

Comments

Bemused Observer Jan 24, 2018 2:35 PM Permalink

As glad as I am to see him served justice, these types of 'public trials' always bothered me. Because so many others, guilty of the same or worse, never see the inside of a courtroom. Or they get through the process magically untouched. It's like they pick ONE case to do publicly, and all the participants use it as a platform. Then a stern sentence is handed down, a parade of victims gets to walk past and spit on him for the cameras, and everyone cheers and gets release.

I'd rather a system where such ones are apprehended and sentenced without all the fanfare...where it isn't necessary to stage these things for the public because the public has (deserved) faith in the justice system. Where the public sees not just the one receive justice in a single flashy trial, but where they see all of those accused tried, and if necessary, punished for the same crimes.

 

Ask yourself, is the 'news' really that a sexual predator has been caught and neutralized, or was it actually more about an Olympic coach being nailed for being a sexual predator? I guess the message is, if you are going to be molested by someone, make sure your molester has some 'news value' so you'll be able to get justice afterwards.

It's kinda like our developing health care system, where the sick will need to hire a PR firm to make all appeals via social media, with the goal being to 'trend' long enough to get the donations needed to pay for their care. It helps to be cute, or have a really pathetic disease and live in a shithole, of course, but a good PR firm can put together a workable campaign with just about anything...

JLee2027 Jan 24, 2018 2:29 PM Permalink

“I just signed your death warrant" said Judge Rosemarie Aquilina after issuing the verdict and added that it was “honor and privilege” to sentence him Nassar.

 

Bias. Overturn on appeal. What an idiot remark. 

ipso_facto Jan 24, 2018 2:27 PM Permalink

But the Michigan State University system has no doubt been administered by rabid leftists for decades.  How many administrators have been jailed for complicity?

Surveyor 59 Jan 24, 2018 2:23 PM Permalink

This POS makes me SICK...Being the father of a daughter I have to ask:

WHY COULDNT THEY FIND A FEMALE DOCTOR FOR THE GIRLS...WHO PUT THIS

DIRTBAG IN THE POSITION HE HAD? WHERES THE NURSE-IN-ROOM PROTOCOL?

WillyGroper Jan 24, 2018 2:19 PM Permalink

" Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis said Wednesday that Nassar is “possibly the most prolific serial child sex abuser in history.”

hardly.

i'd bet sandusky has him beat as well as the clintoons.

Donate Moar ThanksIwillHav… Jan 24, 2018 2:28 PM Permalink

Hey Thanks...

You know, when you are typing something, and you pause to inhale or think, THAT is when you hit the COMMA key. Its right there between "M" and ".".

I WILL educate the entire internet flunkies on the placing of the COMMA, so their stuff is readable for the masses.

- - - - -

You KNOW those chicks DID confront the asshole.    He didn't give a fuck, but certainly wanted one.

Yes, I just ran out of beer.   Grumble, grumble.....

ELSEWHERE: See Silver and Gold.

 

 

In reply to by ThanksIwillHav…

Michigander Shitonya Serfs Jan 24, 2018 2:27 PM Permalink

Just goes to show you the degree to which the sheeple will follow anyone or anything even remotely perceived to display authority of any kind. Two of the biggest offenders are doctors and clergy.

Our local family doctor was eventually brought up on molestation charges. It was standing knowledge in town.The people that were mentally affected never came forward until years later, and the women who considered their sexual organs more as a bodily function without all the emotional baggage would just put him in his place. Once, when he spent too much time kneading my wife's tits during a physical exam, she told him "If you got our rocks off, you can stop now".  Never happened again to her. See how simple it can be?

In reply to by Shitonya Serfs

LA_Goldbug Jan 24, 2018 2:12 PM Permalink

The abuse by the Elite will never see a day in court. Sure, every once in a while they throw us a bone to make us think "The System Works". It works for peons and occasional stupid rich.

gatorengineer LA_Goldbug Jan 24, 2018 2:18 PM Permalink

So this guy gets 175 years....

How many years does a catholic priest get?

How about the Popes and bishops that know and turn a blind eye?

How about Joe Paterno, and his staff, that knew about Sandusky?

So I am going to abuse 20+ girls and not a one of them goes to a parent or the police?

Not saying the guy doesnt deserve to burn in hell, but like most everything these days, it points out the hipocracy and flaws in the system

In reply to by LA_Goldbug

Catullus Jan 24, 2018 2:12 PM Permalink

Now I’m the victim because I have to pay for him to live in a cell. 

— taxpayers. 

 

Just eye for eye. Let someone violate him repeatedly. Why do I have to be involved in this?

adr Jan 24, 2018 2:12 PM Permalink

If he were a transgender it who murdered 60 young girls out of guilt, he would have probably got a parade in California.

I do have a problem with labeling the girls as "survivors". To survive gives the connotation that what happened was life threatening.

I don't have a problem sending this guy away for life, but I also have a huge problem with letting off murderers like Oblammy did with his clemency orders.

If someone killed a member of my family I would never allow a trial. I don't trust the justice system in this country to do what's right.

foxenburg adr Jan 24, 2018 2:27 PM Permalink

@adr. "If someone killed a member of my family I would never allow a trial."

That's the true meaning of Omerta. Keep your fucking mouth shut, don't even think of asking for "government help" to punish the guy.

Just find him and kill him. You can count on your omerta community keeping their mouths shut also.

In reply to by adr

NumbersUsa Jan 24, 2018 2:11 PM Permalink

Larry Nassar: Another jew supremacist pedophile !!

We demand the jew supremacist foreign agent organizations: Aipac, Aclu, Adl, Splc, Zoa, Jdl, Jwc, Cfr, and a thousand more be immediately prosecuted under the FARA act, shut down and prohibited within the U.S.-NOW!

We demand that all dual citizen israelis be removed immediately from all government positions, federal, state & local (elected, paid employment or volunteer)- NOW! 

taketheredpill Jan 24, 2018 2:10 PM Permalink

Two suicides.  One was a victim. other one was a father who killed himself when he realized his daughter (who he made apologize to the Doc for accusing him) was telling the truth.

 

arby63 Jan 24, 2018 2:09 PM Permalink

These kids have to live with the coaches. Elite athletes (or those with elite potential) like these kids are pretty vulnerable. No way I would let my kid participate in anything that dominates them at such a young age. 

The pedophiles always congregate there. 

RAT005 Jan 24, 2018 2:08 PM Permalink

Disgraceful Profiling - White Male, Michigan Gov. Employee that probably voted for both the Obamanation and Illary.  There are probably hundreds more like him.....