Larry Nassar, former sports physician known for treating Olympic female gymnasts, will spend the rest of his life behind bars after being sentenced to 40 to 175 years in a Michigan prison.
» RELATED: The Latest: Nassar letter: 'Stories are being fabricated'
More than 150 women and girls took the stand to detail the sexual abuse they endured by the doctor, who plead guilty to assault that dates back 20 years. Before serving the Michigan sentence, the 54-year-old faces 60-years in federal prison for child pornography crimes
At the end of the seven-day hearing Wednesday, Judge Rosemarie Aquilina said, "It is my honor and privilege to sentence you.”
“You do not deserve to walk outside a prison ever again. You have done nothing to control those urges and anywhere you walk, destruction will occur to those most vulnerable," she continued. “I just signed your death warrant.”
When the hearing ended, the courtroom clapped and cheered. Victims and prosecutors hugged and cried as the 16-month case finally came to an end.
Social media reacted, too. Many took to Twitter to express their thoughts on the sentencing. Several responded to Aquilina’s comments, including Olympic medalist Simone Biles, praising her for her candor.
To Judge Aquilina : THANK YOU, YOU ARE MY HERO
— Simone Biles (@Simone_Biles) January 24, 2018
&
Shout out to all of the survivors for being so brave & speaking like the queens that you are while looking at that monster. He will no longer have the power to steal our happiness or joy. I stand with every one of you 💛 pic.twitter.com/b5SMmjZgeW
Judge Rosemarie Aquilina is a new icon. Good bye Larry Nassar, you out. Who's next? pic.twitter.com/WgLDDMFFL3
— Kévin (@kevinnschmitz) January 24, 2018
This GIF of Judge Aquilina throwing away the letter Larry Nassar wrote the court about how hard it is for him to listen to victim testimonies PRETTY MUCH SAYS IT ALL. pic.twitter.com/5HB9WMaPqU
— Ellie Hall (@ellievhall) January 24, 2018
Rachel Denhollander is a hero. And it is so good to see an abusive man finally brought to justice by survivors (and an awesome female judge). #LarryNassar
— Carla (@carlasian) January 24, 2018
» RELATED: Larry Nassar writes letter to judge complaining it's too hard to listen to accusers testimonies
Some thought the judge was too harsh and said she acted inappropriately. They called her “unprofessional” and “mean.”
Judge Rosmarie Aquilina is sounding so unprofessional just before sentencing Larry Nassar. She’s even making comments about her family. Is this how it’s done in the U.S? Wow!
— Minso Wathanafa (@meanso) January 24, 2018
Good morning. Matt yglesias thinks the judge was too mean to Larry Nassar and Erykah badhu saw the good in Hitler
— Dank Uygur (@capitalflowking) January 24, 2018
Her reaction is supposed to be a nonbiased interpretation of the law. He got what he deserves, but she didn't need to turn it in to a publicity stunt.
— Tyler Hayes (@RealTylerHayes) January 24, 2018
Others applauded the victims for their bravery and strength. Several said they were heros and admired them for standing together.
Literally anyone could have done what she did if placed in the judge's chair... The real hero will be whoever convicts Nassar's enablers, the administrators and coaches at MSU who ignored or tried to silence Nassar's victims
— CH Smoot (@CHSmoot) January 24, 2018
This young women speaks powerfully to the man who abused her and many others. Praise God for the strength she has to choose to do what is right. May Larry Nassar hear and respond in repentance to the sweet gospel of grace. https://t.co/NsiYULn6lE
— Mel Lacy (@lacymel) January 24, 2018
Much admiration to the judge and hero witnesses that delivered justice in Larry Nassar case, but now focus must be on rotten cultures that enabled abuse. Our @sfchronicle editorial https://t.co/x8OXL8IBJP pic.twitter.com/F8rbEJDgni
— John Diaz (@JohnDiazChron) January 24, 2018
And a few reflected on the future, hoping Nassar’s punishment would prevent other sexual crimes from happening.
Happy to see Larry Nassar is being made an example of. Hopefully it will deter these types of crimes; crimes that stay with the victim their entire lives, haunting them. He deserves every last second of the 157 years he got. #LarryNassar
— Nicktron2.0 (@NickWaldrup) January 24, 2018
Really glad that justice was done with Nassar's sentence. I truly hope to see more sentences like this in the future. Abusers are scum and deserve the harshest of punishments.
— TylerTheDesertHermit (@HermitsReturn) January 24, 2018
» RELATED: Gymnastics doctor sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison
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