Courtroom Erupts Into Laughter As Larry Nassar Claims He Was 'Manipulated'

The courtroom where Larry Nassar was being tried erupted into laughter earlier today after the serial sexual abuser claimed he had been 'manipulated'.

The former Team US gymnastic doctor was sentenced to 40-175 years in prison for a catalogue of assaults on women and girls spanning two decades.

In a letter he provided to the court and read out by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, Nassar said: "I was a good doctor because my treatments work and those patients that are now speaking out are the same ones that praised me and came back over and over to see me.

"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." As this part was read, loud gasps of surprise could be heard throughout the courtroom.

The letter continued: "The stories that are being fabricated to sensationalise this - then the AG would only accept my plea if I said what I did was not medical and was for my own pleasure.

"They forced me to say that or they were going to trial and not accepting the plea - I wanted to plea no contest, but the AG refused that. I was so manipulated by the AG."

At this point, laughter and gasps of surprise could be heard throughout the courtroom.

Nassar, 54, had already been sentenced to 60 years for possessing images of child sexual abuse.

Summing up, Judge Aquilina ripped Nassar to shreds, saying: "You preyed on everyone's vulnerability. I'm not vulnerable. Not to you. Not to other criminals. I swore to uphold the law and I know what to do. You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again."

Across seven days, the court, including Nassar, listened to testimony and impact statements from 156 of his victims - many choosing to waive their right to anonymity to face their abuser.

Judge Aquilina added: "As much as it was my honour and privilege to hear the sister survivors, it was my honour and privilege to sentence you.

"Because, sir, you do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again."

Source: CNN

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: US News

Claire Reid

Claire is a journalist at LADbible who, after dossing around for a few years, went to Liverpool John Moores University. She graduated with a degree in Journalism and a whole load of debt. When not writing words in exchange for money she is usually at home watching serial killer documentaries surrounded by cats. You can contact Claire at [email protected]

@ClaireReid19