Former United States gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar was sentenced to 175 years in prison on Wednesday, and the judge who presided over his trial was as harsh as possible when delivering the sentence.
After hearing from numerous victims whom Nassar sexually abused during his time as an athletic trainer, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told Nassar she “just signed your death warrant” in sentencing him to 40 to 175 years in prison.
#BREAKING: Michigan judge sentences disgraced ex-@USAGym doctor Larry Nassar to 175 years in prison for sexually assaulting girls and women. "I just signed your death warrant." pic.twitter.com/mKMYggC4A7
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) January 24, 2018
Michigan judge to Larry Nassar… "I wouldn't send my dogs to you." pic.twitter.com/fzNZtdTCiI
— WBZ | CBS Boston News (@wbz) January 24, 2018
Judge Aquilina also called for further investigation into how Nassar’s abuse was ignored for so long and why so many people in positions of authority chose to remain silent.
Judge: "There has to be a massive investigation into why there was inaction, why there was silence."
— Randy Scott (@RandyScottESPN) January 24, 2018
It remains to be seen what consequences there will be for USA Gymnastics. Three-time Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman gave one of the most passionate speeches in court, and she accused USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee of ignoring the complaints against Nassar.
“I have represented the United States of America in two Olympics and have done so successfully, and both USA Gymnastics and the United States Olympic Committee have been very quick to capitalize and celebrate my success,” Raisman said last week. “But did they reach out when I came forward? No.”
Another former Olympic gymnast said she was paid by USA Gymnastics to remain silent about the allegations against Nassar.
