Dr. Larry Nassar (NBC News)
Larry Nassar (NBC News)
During a four-day sentencing hearing in Ingham County Circuit Court in Lansing for former doctor Larry Nassar, USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University are coming under attack for failing to stop sexual abuse of females he examined over the years.
Victims from around the country are speaking after remaining anonymous for most the legal process.
At least nine victims decided to go public between the end of court Tuesday and their chances to speak Wednesday, MSU student Marie Weidmayer writes at The State News. She quotes several, including this speaker:
"As of yesterday, I was identified as Victim 118. But today, inspired by the courage of my fellow survivors, I'm not afraid to say that my name is Chelsea Williams," Williams said. "And I'm a survivor."
Twenty-one women and girls on Wednesday shared how Nassar's abuse changed their lives. Twenty-nine others spoke Tuesdsay and at least 51 more are scheduled to speak Thursday and Friday before sentencing that day by Judge Rosemarie Aquilina.
Matt Mencarini of the Lansing State Journal reports:
Even as [victim] Olivia Cowan wept about the toll on herself and her family, she had sharp criticism for Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics, both of which gave Nassar access to the women and girls speaking this week.
"I've gone from a raving fan of MSU to now seeing green and white in the very same way I see Larry Nassar," Cowan said. "I want MSU and USAG to know what they have done is on the very same level of accountability as the crime Nassar has committed."
She spoke on Tuesday, one of the first of an expected 101 women and girls who will give victim impact statements in Judge Rosemarie Aquilina's courtroom during Nassar's four-day sentencing hearing.
"As if the struggle of what Larry Nassar did isn't bad enough, it's horrifying that MSU and USA Gymnastics are not stepping up to the plate to admit their wrongdoing," she said.
Calls arise widely for an independent investigation of MSU's role and whether President Lou Anna Simon should resign. She attended part of Wednesday's court session.
