The last of former USA Gymnastics physician Larry Nassar’s victims delivered impact statements today, and the finale produced a dramatic showdown with Nassar’s attorney. Rachel Denhollander, the first former gymnast to file a criminal complaint against Nassar, took the stand to in part to demand justice from the court, and in part to rebuke Nassar’s attorney for an earlier suggestion in a preliminary hearing that she only came forward to earn notoriety and cash. Denhollander turned the tables on Shannon Smith, noting that “only one of us was making money off her court appearance that day” (via CBS News):
WATCH: Larry Nassar's defense attorney objects to statement by victim Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to file a criminal complaint against Nassar; judge asks court room to "calm down" https://t.co/KWY1pm3GPO pic.twitter.com/XVLo52ByfX
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2018
“My sexual assault was wielded like a weapon against me,” Denholladner said.
She was attacked, she added, included during the preliminary hearing when Shannon Smith, one of Nassar’s attorneys, asked her if she was just coming forward now for the money.
Denhollander spoke about what she gave up to come forward, to be the first. She turned her diary over to police, to be included as evidence, to ensure they would proceed.
“I did it because it was right,” she said. “No matter the cost, it was right.”
Smith got up immediately to object, only to get shouted down by the crowd and dismissed by Judge Rosemary Aquilina. “This is her time to speak,” Aquilina told Smith. “You are going to get your opportunity to respond.” Presumably, that refers to closing statements, but any time spent on that effort slamming a victim for her own purposes at the expense of arguing for mercy on behalf of her client would be legal malpractice. Smith will save that for her inevitable presser, but the media might not appreciate being used to slag a victim by proxy.
Besides, Aquilina made it pretty clear what she’ll think of another attack on Denhollander:
Judge Aquilina to Rachael Denhollander: "You started the tidal wave. You made all of this happen. You made all of these voices matter. Your sister survivors and I thank you. You are the bravest person I have ever had in my courtroom." https://t.co/KWY1pm3GPO pic.twitter.com/beMPHpCxup
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2018
The prosecutor followed that up with an indirect attack on Smith during the closing argument:
Michigan assistant attorney general: "What does it say about our society that victims of sexual abuse have to hide their pain for years when they did nothing wrong?" https://t.co/KWY1pm3GPO pic.twitter.com/QnQG06VB5P
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2018
Smith’s partner defended her by saying Nassar has a constitutional right to an effective defense. He also said that their work on his behalf has resulted in death threats against their families:
"I can tell you … unequivocally, I would be standing next to this man for every trial that he would hold, every sentencing he would have because that is what our Constitution requires," defense attorney for Larry Nassar says https://t.co/KWY1pm3GPO pic.twitter.com/n9JpnvoBea
— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2018
Well, literally no one disputes that, and obviously, no one should ever receive death threats from others. That’s horrible and deserves condemnations all around. But it doesn’t have anything to do with getting justice for Nassar’s victims, and it doesn’t mean that Nassar’s victims have to sit quietly without responding when those attorneys impugn their character, especially in a case where the defendant eventually admitted the crime. Sorry, but Shannon Smith’s claim on victimhood in this process ranks far below Denhollander’s.
After Nassar delivered his expected statement of remorse, Aquilina lowered the boom. She read a litany of Nassar’s earlier responses to the allegations that attempted to deny the abuse, including this moment that produced gasps in the courtroom:
Audible gasps in the courtroom as Judge Aquilina reads a letter from #Nassar in which he says, "Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned” and accusers are "seeking media attention & financial reward." pic.twitter.com/5mn7Ts1jGJ
— Carol Costello (@CarolC) January 24, 2018
Good Lord. Aquilina forced Nassar to once again admit his guilt. All he could manage was “I accept my plea,” a coward to the end:
Judge Aquilina: “Would you like to withdraw your plea?”
Larry Nassar: “No.”
Judge Aquilina: “Because you are guilty, aren't you? Are you guilty, sir?” https://t.co/KWY1pm3GPO pic.twitter.com/kMoFv91mD5— CBS News (@CBSNews) January 24, 2018
After that, Aquilina sentenced Nassar to 175 years in prison, telling him “I just signed your death warrant. … You do not deserve to walk outside of a prison ever again.” Amen to that.
It’s over for Nassar. It’s only just beginning for the institutions that enabled him. The NCAA has now opened an investigation into Michigan State University, and students there are planning demonstrations against the school’s president and administration.
