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"I just signed your death warrant," Judge Rosemarie Aquilina of Ingham County told serial sex offender Larry Nassar as she imposed a prison term of 40 to 175 years for the disgraced ex-doctor.

"You remain a danger, she added. "If you are ever out, which is doubtful, you'll be required to register as a sex offender."

Those are among many vivid statements from Wednesday's livestreamed proceeding in Mason, Mich., which concluded seven days of riveting statements from 156 survivors.


Larry Nassar, 54, will never leave prison.
(Twitter photo by Kate Wells of Michigan Radio)

Nassar, 54, pleaded guilty in November to seven counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct. He was sentenced earlier in federal court to 60 years for possessing child pornography, and faces another prison term in Eaton County for three more sexual misconduct charges.

These quotes, compiled from news reports and courtroom live tweets, are among the most attention-grabbing Wednesday:

♦ The criminal: "No words can express the depth and breadth of how sorry I am. I will carry your [survivors'] words with me for the rest of my days." 

♦ Last survivor to speak: "Women and girls banded together because no one else would do it. This is what happens when a person chooses to put their selfish desires over the people around them. . . . This is what it looks like when institutions create a culture when a predator can behave unabated. And this is what it looks like when people in authority choose not to listen, put friendships over the truth and refuse to hold enablers accountable. . . . 
"Larry, you speak of forgiveness . . . but it comes from repentance. . . . Should you ever reach the point of truly facing what you've done, the guilt will be crushing. And that's what makes the gospel of Christ so sweet . . . because there is grace where none should be found. And it will be there for you. . . . 
"This is why I pity you . . . because when they cannot define evil, they cannot understand what good is. When a person can harm a child, they lose the ability to truly love. Larry, you've shut yourself of from everything good. ... Every woman who stood up here, truly loved you as an innocent child. Really truly loved you. And it did not satisfy you. And that's a joy you've cut yourself off from ever experiencing. And I pity you for it. You've lost the ability to define and enjoy love and forgiveness. You've fashioned for yourself a prison far, far worse than any I could put you in. . . .
"And the farthest I can run from what you've become, is to daily chose what is right, instead of what I want. . . . You chose to pursue your wickedness no matter what it cost others. And the opposite of what you've done is love." -- Rachel Denhollander, the first victim who filed a police report and went public


Carol Siemon, Ingham County prosecutor: "What finally ended this cycle of abuse was investigative reporting."

♦ The judge, to Denhollander: "Your words have grace. You started the tidal wave. You made all these voices matter. Your sister survivors and I thank you. You're the bravest person I've ever had in my courtroom. You're in control now. You built an army of survivors, and you are a five-star general."

♦ The prosecutor: "What finally ended this cycle of abuse was investigative reporting. Without that first Indianapolis Star story in 2016 ... he would still be practicing medicine." -- Carol Siemon, Ingham County prosecuting attorney

♦ A Detroit reporter: "Larry Nassar preyed on girls and women and was brought down by them too.  The lead investigator, lead prosecutor and judge on this case are all women. Not to mention all of the witnesses."
-- Ross Jones, WXYZ

Kate Wells of Michigan Radio is a valued source of quotes from the judge and Rachel Denhollander. Her live tweets (@KateLouiseWells) are transcript-like in their detail.