As of Wednesday, Larry Nassar is officially back in court—this time in Eaton County, Michigan—for yet another round of sentencing. Yes, Nassar has already been sentenced to 40-175 years in prison in Ingham County, but this new courtroom appearance relates to an entirely different case brought against the former USA Gymnastics doctor.
The details of the new case: While last week’s sentencing primarily centered on sexual abuse during Nassar’s time at Michigan State University, the Eaton County case is focused on women who allege that Nassar abused them at Twistars Gymnastics Club. Nassar has already entered a guilty plea in this case (similar to last week’s proceedings) and the plea agreement calls for a minimum of 25-40 years in prison. Though this case was only brought against Nassar by three plaintiffs, any and all victims of Nassar are invited to make impact statements. This includes any of the women who already delivered statements at the last week’s sentencing, where an unprecedented 150 women spoke out. (In the Michigan courtroom today, a judge said that 265 women have accused Nassar of abuse in all.)
Twistars, where survivors allege the sexual abuse occurred, is a gym that was run by 2012 Olympic coach John Geddert, who has also been accused of abuse. Survivors have described a pattern where Geddert would physically abuse them and then push them to seek treatment from his good friend, Nassar. Geddert has been suspended by USA Gymnastics and retired from Twistars, but it’s likely that survivors in the courtroom throughout the coming days will mention him as well as Nassar.
Who is slated to appear in the courtroom: The New York Times estimates that over 65 women will share impact statements during the Eaton County hearing, though that number may grow. The sentencing hearing is set to begin Friday morning and continue through Monday and Tuesday of next week, giving an opportunity for more survivors to speak.
In the courtroom today, more than 30 women (including some who have chosen to remain anonymous) shared their stories and addressed Nassar directly. Among them was Annie Labrie, who warned the court, “A pedophile cannot flourish in the way Larry did and in an environment that is not conducive to his behavior. It is imperative we as society do not view this as an isolated incident.” Katherine Ebert also spoke in the courtroom, telling Nassar: “You are the most vile, disgusting creature I have ever met. There are black holes in my memory that come back as nightmares or flashbacks, not wanting to believe they’re true.”
There will reportedly be some overlap in the women appearing in the courtroom to make statements—like 17-year-old Jessica Thomashow, who was the first to speak today—but Olympians like Aly Raisman and McKayla Maroney aren’t expected to appear.
One key similarity—a female judge: A central element in the Ingham County case was the incredible work by presiding Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who became a pillar of support for the young women. One of her most notable lines, “Leave your pain here and go out and do your magnificent things,” became a rallying cry. In Eaton County, the sentencing is being presided over by Judge Janice K. Cunningham, and while she has yet to exhibit the same oratorial style of Judge Aquilina, she is presiding over a courtroom that will welcome as many statements as survivors wish to give, and today’s statements have already proved heart wrenching.
To be sure, the legacy of last week’s powerful testimonies is certainly felt in the courtroom and by those survivors who have chosen to speak in Eaton. And it is no less important that their voices be heard. Tiffany Dutton addressed this directly today, saying, “On this day, I’ve decided to fully relinquish my anonymity as a symbol to myself that there is absolutely nothing I have to be ashamed or afraid of.” She told the court, “Due to the bravery and courage of the many women who appeared in Ingham County to face our predator, I am no longer fearful. To all of them I will be ever grateful.”
We’ll be following the events in the courtroom—and spotlighting these brave women and teenagers’ stories—as the hearings in Eaton County progress this week.
READ MORE: ‘It Ends Now’: The Survivors of Larry Nassar, in Their Own Words
