Nassar Gets Final Sentence In Gymnast Sex Abuse Cases

LANSING, MI – Larry Nassar, the sports medicine doctor who molested hundreds of young women and girls under the guise of medical treatments, was sentenced to 40 to 125 years in prison. The sentencing comes after two days last week of testimony from women he abused.

"There is no evidence that he can be reformed," said Judge Janice Cunningham before handing down the sentence. "I am not convinced that you truly understand what you did was wrong and the devastating effect you have had on these victims."

Nassar abused more than 250 girls and young women who came to him for medical treatments over the past 20 years. Many of the women were gymnasts, including Olympic gold medalists, but his victim also included women playing other sports.

Cunningham told Nassar that he lived a pampered life as a prominent doctor, but would spend the rest of his life in a small prison cell with only the "memories of destroying your own family."

"There is no question that society must be protected from Larry Nassar," Cunningham said.

As Nassar appeared before the judge, he remained blank-faced and showed little emotion. Nassar apologized to the victims, saying their words affected him to his "inner most core" and their words "will forever be present in my thoughts."

Prosecutor Angela Povilaitis, who spoke first during the hearing on Monday, told Cunningham that Nassar is a "master manipulator" who played the nice guy while trainers and coaches often pushed gymnasts to pain. He was a "friend" to many of the gymnasts who gave the girls and women gifts to win their trust and then "robbed them of their innocence."

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Povilaitis called on victims to free themselves of their pain, suffering and grief that they have endured with Nassar. "The blame and shame belong to one person: the defendant," Povilaitis said. She also thanked the judge for allowing victims to speak and giving them a chance to share their stories.

"I ask you to bring the justice to these victims," Povilaitis said.

The sentence came after a brush with an angry Randy Margraves, the father of three of Nassar's victims and who tried to assault him in the courtroom on Friday. After deputies restrained Margraves, Cunningham said he would not be charged for his outburst in court.

The stems from assaults that occurred at Twistars gymnastics club that was run by former Olympic coach John Geddert. Nassar, who worked with gymnasts from USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University, in January was sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison in Ingham County and an in December to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography crimes.

During the hearing last month in Ingham County, scores of victims provided tearful testimony how the doctor took advantage of their innocence and violated them. It was a very similar scenario last week in Eaton County. Many of the victims say that they complained to trainers, coaches and other officials, but said mostly their claims were ignored by people who could have stopped Nassar.

Before Judge Rosemarie Aquilina sentenced last month Nassar to up to 175 years in prison, she told him, "I just signed your death warrant." Aquilina, meanwhile, has taken criticism for a zealous approach to his sentence.

File photo by Carlos Osorio/Associated Press