Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team physician who sexually abused more than 150 women — including Olympic gold medalists Aly Raisman, Simone Biles, and McKayla Maroney — has been sentenced to 40 to 175 years in prison.
The sentencing took place Wednesday after more than 100 of his victims read emotionally-charged impact statements in court.
"I just signed your death warrant," Judge Rosemarie Aquilina told Nassar after delivering his sentence in a Lansing, Michigan courtroom. "I find that you don't get it, that you're a danger. That you remain a danger."
Aquilina also read aloud a letter Nassar wrote last week in which he tries to raise doubts about his victims' testimony. Nassar has been accused of using his position as a doctor for USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University to sexually abuse his patients.
"I was a good doctor because my treatments worked, and those patients that are now speaking out are the same ones that praised and came back over and over," Nassar wrote. "The media convinced them that everything I did was wrong and bad. They feel I broke their trust. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."
Nassar had pled guilty to 10 sex assault charges in two Michigan counties and had previously been sentenced to 60 years on child pornography charges.
Making a powerful visual statement, Aquilina tore the letter in half for the entire courtroom and those watching from afar to see.
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Earlier in the week Nassar also mentioned that having to sit and hear his victims' statements was emotionally taxing for him, comments that were met with condemnation from those he abused.
Aquilina went on to condemn Nassar's behavior, explaining that his letter was further proof he doesn't understand the severity of the situation or his impact. "I wouldn't send my dogs to you, sir," she said.
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Nassar offered a short apology in court, saying the impact statements "have shaken me to my core."
"There are no words that can describe the depth and breadth of how sorry I am for what has occurred," he said. "An acceptable apology to all of you is impossible to write and convey. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days."
This sentencing relates to seven of his 10 charges. He is expected to receive another sentence on Jan. 31 for the remaining three. Combined with his prior punishment related to child pornography, Aquilina said he's never getting out of jail.
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