Victims speak out about abuse, Nassar gets life sentence

Sterling Riethman made the first victim statement on Day 7. She was 20 when she was abused by Nassar. "I look around this room, and I’m in complete awe," she said. "These women, these warriors, give me life. They lit a fire inside me that I didn’t even know existed ... They inspire me and fuel me to continue on in this fight against predators and their enablers."

Kaylee Lorincz weeps while telling her story. At 13, “You stole my innocence from me. … As I look at you today, I feel nauseous. … We were ultimately strong enough to take you down. Not one by one, but as an army of survivors.”

Rachael DenHollander hugs fellow Nassar victim Kaylee Lorincz after Lorincz's victim impact statement, before making her own.

Finally, the 156th and last victim impact statement was read in court by Rachael Denhollander, the woman who filed the police report that led to more than 200 other women coming forward. She had tough words for MSU: "You did not listen. It has been 18 months and I am still asking questions, and I am still getting the same answer."

Assistant Michigan Attorney General Angela Povilaitis, right, and MSU Detective Lt. Andrea Mumford share a little smile as victim Rachael Denhollander hits her stride while speaking.

Larry Nassar watches as Rachael Denhollander tells him, "You chose to pursue your wickedness, no matter what it cost others. ... May the horror expressed in the courtroom be the motivation for those to take responsibility in the future."

The courtroom crowd reacts to testimony about Larry Nassar Wednesday.

MSU chief of police Jim Dunlap, foreground, covers his expression while others weep.

Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis addresses the court before the sentencing, summing up what everyone heard over the last seven days: Nassar was "twisted, a master manipulator. ... The breadth of Larry Nassar's crimes is nearly infinite."

Larry Nassar was allowed to speak before sentencing. Turning to the audience, he said, "Your words these past several says have had a significant impact. ... I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days." Above, Nassar is flanked by his attorneys Matthew Newburg and Molly Blythe.

Nassar stands to learn his fate in the court of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina. She tells the fallen physician: "I just signed your death warrant."

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina hands down the sentence for Larry Nassar — 40-175 years — and then smiles at the media as he is led away.

Rachael Denhollander, seated behind MSU Detective Lt. Andrea Mumford, left, and Assistant Michigan Attorney General Angela Povilaitis, listens to Judge Rosemarie Aquilina's sentence.

The gallery reacts somberly after the sentence is announced for Larry Nassar.

MSU police chief Jim Dunlap hugs Assistant AG Angela Povilaitis after the sentence.

Victims hug members of the prosecution team after the sentence was read.

Annie Labrie, 23, facing camera, hugs Rita Wieber, Jordyn Wieber's mother, outside the courtroom in Lansing just before the sentencing of Larry Nassar. Labrie was a patient of Nassar's and testified in court earlier in the summer but did not make a court statement during the last two weeks, she said.

Rachael Denhollander, a key whistleblower in the case, smiles in the courtroom after Larry Nassar's sentencing Wednesday.

Former gymnast Larissa Boyce, facing camera, hugs another patient and victim of Larry Nassar outside the courtroom.

State Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis, facing camera, hugs former figure skater Jennifer Hayes, who spoke against Larry Nassar.

It's Day Six of the sentencing hearing for Larry Nassar, on January 23, 2018. Gymnast Emily Morales, now 18, said, "Each time, he asked me if my pain was better and I said it was even though it hurt because if I said no, he'd go deeper and harder."

During her victim statement, gymnast Mattie Larson named Debbie Van Horn, who still works at USA Gymnastics, as being in the room when the Nassar assaults occurred at the Karolyi ranch. Larson would get panic attacks at the thought of being sent to him for "treatment."

Danielle Romano read a statement on behalf of her sister Alexandra Romano, who is in graduate school in California. "I looked up to you ... but you broke my trust. You used my innocent adolescent body but I thought you were healing me. What you have done is unforgivable."

Selena Brennan's statement concluded, "No punishment will ever be enough for the pain you caused everyone. May you find yourself in prison, taking your own treatments."

Makayla Thrush, a gymnast from ages 7-17, said, "I find it weird when this all came out and my lawyer asked for my medical records, they were almost nonexistent. As if there were nothing wrong with me, but you kept going for your own pleasure."

Brianne Randall lives in Seattle and reported the abuse to police in 2004. "I didn't want to leave my 7-week-old son," she said. "However, after hearing the words of my sister survivors, I knew I had to come support them."

Christina Barba met Nassar when she was 9, and broke a toe at the gym. "Eventually, I decided to become a physical therapist. Larry and I worked side-by-side in his clinic. I defended Larry when the stories were emerging. It wasn’t until last week that my own trauma that I had buried so deep started emerging. … The problem was I trusted him blindly through a child's eyes."

Larry Nassar, the former longtime doctor for Michigan State's athletic department and USA Gymnastics, looks at the gallery in the court of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Tuesday.

Gymnast Brooke Hylek said one of her legs is shorter than the other and resulted in back pain and many visits to Nassar. She said the abuse started after multiple short visits to gain her trust.

Abigayle Bergeron said, "Mother was there during appointments and he blocked her view and slipped his fingers inside of me. I remember a time when my dad came to one of these treatments. He's a detective and retired police officer and said he thought something sketchy was going on."

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina looks at Nassar as she listens to Abigayle Bergeron's victim statement.

Emily Meinke flew from Florida to give her statement. She said her father donated a physician's table to Nassar's clinic. "I thank God my father is no longer on this earth to hear the statements made by these women, on that table. It would break his heart." A victim herself, she said, "Treatments were arranged in his home on Sundays. One time, in particular, I was on a table in his living room and he excused himself to change into looser fitting clothing."

Whitney Burns said, "You not only sexually abused me, but emotionally abused me for 15 years," she said. "I have questioned myself and second guessed myself. You stole my life, Larry Nassar, and I am now taking it back."

Former gymnast Isabell Hutchins met Nassar when she was 10. She held up an item of a box of Olympics gifts Nassar sent her. She described the sport she loved turning into a prison for her after Nassar's abuse. She is now afraid to talk to anyone, uncomfortable in her own body, in a constant state of anxiety, afraid to trust anyone.

Isabell Hutchins dumps some of the trinkets from the Olympics Larry Nassar gave her into a wastebasket with the help of her brother, Cody, after making her statement.

Natalie Woodland, 16, said, "He used me like a toy for his own pleasure." To the institutions who did nothing: "Shame on you. You could have saved hundreds of girls from sexual abuse." She was treated after the 2014 Title IX investigation that cleared Nassar.

Jillian Swinehart, 15, started gymnastics when she was 3. She says she was abused by Nassar hundreds of times at his house and at Michigan State. Jillian's mother tells Nassar, "I took my most precious gift to you and you hurt her, physically, mentally and emotionally. I will never get rid of the guilt I had of this experience."

"You stole my sparkle," Alison Chauvette, 25, tells Larry Nassar. "You, like others, allowed yourself to become a monster. This is the path you chose. You now have to pay. ... We all deserve to sparkle."

Anna Dayton said to Nassar, "For 10 years you seemed to have all the answers to my problems. But not any more. ... Identifying the strategies of an abuser is harder than I thought. ... I'm here on the path to overcoming your manipulation. I am here to take back my power and relinquish yours."

A photographer gets too close to the Ingham County Sheriff's deputy guarding Larry Nassar in court.

Krista Waksman hugs her mother as she spoke in front of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Monday, January 22, 2018.

Larry Nassar listens to victims statements in the court on Monday, January 22, 2018.

Kamerin Moore gives her statement, "You will never mean anything to anyone for the rest of your entire life, never," she said, in the court of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Monday, January 22, 2018.

James Dunlap, MSU Chief of Police listens to victims statements about Larry Nassar in the courtroom of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina on Monday, January 22, 2018.

Nassar victim Rachel DenHollander (facing) hugs fellow Nassar survivor Bailey Lorencen after Lorencen gave a wrenching victim impact statement in the court of Rosemarie Aquilina Monday morning, January 22, 2018.

Emma Ann Miller, 15, with her mother Leslie Miller standing beside her, tells the court, "I, too, was sexually assaulted, by Larry Nassar, multiple times. My last appointment was in August 2016. Soon after he was fired by MSU. I might possibly be the last child he sexually assaulted."

Taylor Livingston, another of Larry Nassar's victims, said he abused her shortly after her father died (a year ago). She said she should be grieving him, her hero, instead she is feeling guilty that she lied to him about Nassar. Her dad was in the room when he assaulted her. She said that life is a chore, a constant fight and she can't remember the last time she felt happy. Livingston said to Nassar, "What you have done is despicable. ... One day you are going to die, and you are going to hell. On the way, you are going to see my dad."

Amanda Smith, the 96th survivor to speak in court, said "When news broke about you, I could not, would not believe it. But then I started coming to terms: You were in fact the monster they said you were. ... You made me feel emotions that no 14-year-old girl should ever have to feel."

Valerie Webb asked, "Larry ... why would a doctor of all people not give me the best treatment? ... I am more infuriated that I continued to see a doctor who molested me."

Whitney Mergens told her parents (about Nassar's abuse), and the darkness came. It is so difficult for her to not live in fear as she steps into a doctor office. "I want for this darkness to go away ... Standing here today, I know the light is not far away," she said in court Monday.

Clasina Syrobi told Larry Nassar in court, "You have made it so that I am embarrassed that I am a gymnast. And went to Twistars, and Great Lakes Gymnastics. People used to ask what level gymnast I was. Now, the follow up question is: Were you one of them?".

Marta Stern told the court that Nassar assaulted her until she was sore and raw. She didn't want to complain. She grew up with the mentality, No pain, no gain. She thought it was her when it was uncomfortable, but realizes now that he was abusing her. To Michigan State University she said, "Your lack of accountability has been repulsive."

Bailey Lorencen speaks out against the abuse she suffered under Dr. Larry Nassar during the fifth day of victim impact statements. Her story started in fourth grade. Nassar was the doctor to see. She saw him and he abused her. She said he was so nice to all of the gymnasts as a way to deceive them. Now, when an older man is nice to her, her heart starts to pound and she begins to sweat.

Larry Nassar stands as Judge Rosemarie Aquilina takes her place in the court on Monday, January 22, 2018 at the start of a fifth day of victim impact statements prior to Nassar's sentencing.

Victim impact statements continued for the fourth day in Larry Nassar’s sentencing hearing on Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 in Lansing. Aly Raisman, right, holding her impact statement, gets a hug from fellow Olympic gymnast Jordyn Wieber.

Two-time Olympian Aly Raisman, one of the most decorated gymnasts in U.S. history, said USA Gymnastics and the Olympic committee were quick to celebrate her Olympic success but did nothing to stop Larry Nassar. "It was like being abused all over again," she said. "At this point, talk is worthless to me. ... We need to demand real change."

Olympic gold medalist Jordyn Wieber reads her impact statement about Larry Nassar in court Friday in Lansing. Nassar began seeing her at age 8, and abuse started as a teenager. "Who was I to question?" she said. She and her parents trusted Nassar and USA Gymnastics. "We were betrayed by both."

The impact statement of Trenea Gonzcar, center, draws tears from Larry Nassar, and some hugs from other survivors. She, who had formerly defended him, today said, “Larry I pray for your soul. To the others who are scared to come forward … I know that they are afraid to hurt you and our community. But I believe in doing the right thing.”

Trenea Gonzcar's impact statement brings tears to the eyes of Larry Nassar.

"Larry had adults on his side, protecting him, enabling his abuse and helping him achieve a God-like status," Larissa Boyce told the court, remembering girls telling her she was "really special" if invited to his home. She was the first to tell someone at MSU about the abuse.

Morgan McCaul gets hugs from other survivors after making her impact statement about Larry Nassar in court Friday.

Trenea Gonzcar's impact statement brings on the tears from Larry Nassar. They have known each other for 30 years and she had previously defended him.

Larissa Boyce's impact statement brings a look of dismay to the face of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina as victim's speak about Larry Nassar on Friday.

Kassie Powell, a former MSU pole vaulter, appeared in court with her father Doug Powell, who told Nassar, "I want you to fear those dark corners, unimaginable corridors ... I want you to fear that booty bandit who wants to make you his punk."

Samantha Ursch talks about Nassar using flattery: "He made me feel just as important as anyone else," though he saw Olympians too. She said she is no longer pretending that the abuse didn't happen, but she is working to move past it.

Sisters Maddie, left, and Kara Johnson hold hands as they make their way to the microphone to give their statements about Larry Nassar.

Kara Johnson said that Nassar took her innocence when she was 13. When her mother was at the appointments with her, Nassar would position himself in a way so her mother couldn't see what was happening. He would 'like' her social media posts, and looking back she recognized that as a major red flag. After the abuse happened, "I was supposed to go back to school but everything seemed cloudy and I felt the urge to shout," she said. "

Maddie Johnson was 12 when she saw Nassar for pain. After several appointments when he abused her, she said she thought only way she could get him to stop was to lie to her parents and say the pain was all gone, so she wouldn't have to continue the "treatments."

Marie Anderson was a 15-year-old swimmer when she went to Nassar for lower back pain. "I have a choice to make every day on how I will grow, and while we all are moving mountains, you, Larry, will have no choice but to sit in prison and wait to die," she said.

Victim impact statements continued on Day Three in Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing on Thursday, January 18, 2018, in Lansing. Nicole Reeb, who was sent to Nassar as a high school dancer and athlete in 1997, talked for nearly 30 minutes about the profound ways she has suffered as a result of the sexual abuse. "I have been suffering from PTSD for the last 20 years because of Larry Nassar," she said.

Gymnast Lindsey Lemke was only 10 when Nassar started abusing her. She called out John Geddert of Twistars USA Gymnastics Club, USA Gymnastics, Michigan State ("Shame on you"), former MSU gymnastics coach Kathie Klages ("I am so disgusted by you. You silenced the victims when they came forward in 1997") and MSU President Lou Anna Simon ("I don't know how you are still president.")

Former gymnast and Nassar victim Jamie Dantzscher gave her victim impact statement on Day Three of Larry Nassar's sentencing hearing on Thursday, January 18, 2018, in Lansing. She said to Nassar in court, "You knew I was powerless. You pretended to be my friend. How dare you ask for our forgiveness? We all see through your bullshit. You are only sorry that you got caught."

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina responds to defendant Larry Nassar, far right, and his letter of complaint of having to sit through four days of a "media circus." She responded, "Nothing is as harsh as what your victims endured at your hands for thousands of hours, sexually abusing them for your pleasure. Spending a few days listening to them pales in comparison."

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina addresses a six-page letter to her from Larry Nassar complaining of having to "sit through a four-day media circus." Judge Aquilina had no sympathy for the convicted felon.

Larry Nassar enters court and eyes a photograph of one of his victims Thursday, January 18, 2018.

Tiffany Thomas Lopez, a former Michigan State softball player who was abused by Larry Nassar, gets a hug from Gina Nichols after testifying Wednesday during Nassar's sentencing hearing in Ingham County Court. Thomas Lopez said to Nassar: "I am ready to be released by your clench." She also said she will forgive him, to heal her heart. Thomas Lopez is one of 98 victims who began telling the stories of their sexual abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar as his sentencing continued for a second day in an Ingham County courtroom Wednesday, January 17, 2018.

Victim Helena Weick, one of 21 victims who spoke out against Larry Nassar in court Wednesday. Weick said she was first molested by Nassar as a gymnast in elementary school and that it ruined her relationship with her mother, who was in the room during the incident but had no knowledge of it.

In handcuffs, Larry Nassar is walked out of the Judge Rosemarie Aquilina's courtroom on Tuesday.

Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon listens to victim impact statements in court Wednesday. She later said, "(Nassar) is a monster who broke our trust ...You have to be horrified and extremely sorry that anyone's lives have been affected profoundly ... What you are hearing is a story of betrayal and broken trust with enormous ramifications."

MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon sits in the back row and listens to victim impact statements in court Wednesday. MSU issued a statement on Larry Nassar Tuesday saying "...Pres. Simon and Board of Trustee Chairperson Brian Breslin, have been viewing the brave women... Words cannot express the sorrow we feel for Nassar’s victims; the thoughts and prayers of the entire MSU community..."

Formerly known as victim 148, Kayla Spicher takes the podium sharing her name and identity. "I thought you generally trusted my well being," she said to her abuser Larry Nassar in court Wednesday.

Larry Nassar begins to tear-up while Kayla Spicher speaks about him in court Tuesday.

Jennifer Hayes, a mother of one daughter and expecting a second, said 17 years after the assault, she’s still so angry and has “invisible wounds.”

Former gymnast Nicole Walker spoke out Wednesday, telling the court that her son is the only thing that keeps her going. "I had an anonymous statement but after seeing everyone come up here yesterday, I felt like I could stand up here...I now see only female doctors and go above and beyond to protect my son," she said.

Victim Stephanie Robinson, now 17, gave a victim impact statement saying she was only 14 years old when Nassar abused her.

Victim Carrie Hogan gives her 'impact statement' Tuesday.

Image of Amanda Barterian, who gave a victim impact statement in court Tuesday, when she was a young gymnast and patient of Dr. Larry Nassar.

Amanda Barterian addresses Larry Nassar Tuesday.

Jaime Boski addresses Larry Nassar.

Jeanette Moul gives her victim impact statement in court Tuesday.

Gina Nichols, mother of victim Maggie Nichols speaks to Larry Nassar in court Tuesday.

Jeanette Antolin, a former U.S. national gymnastics team member from 1995-2000, speaks about Larry Nassar in front of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina in District Court on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, in Lansing. "You made me believe you were my friend. You manipulated me, abused me," she said to Nassar. "You used your hotel rooms as a playground. I truly believe you are a spawn of Satan."

Former Gymnastics coach Tom Brennan reacts in the gallery as a victim addresses Larry Nassar in front of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina in District Court on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Lansing. Brennan, who appeared with victim Gwen Anderson, spoke out in court to Nassar: “For the record, go to hell.”

Gina Nichols, mother of victim Maggie Nichols weeps in the gallery while victims speak to Larry Nassar in front of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina in district court on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018, in Lansing. She read a letter from her daughter in court, and said to Nassar: "You are not a real doctor. You are a serial child molester, a pedophile."

Amanda Thomashow, who filed the Title IX report to Michigan State University in 2014, spoke in a Lansing court Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. "What he did shows up in my daily life, and affects my sleep," she said. "Since this case reopened, I have troubles getting out of bed. What happened to me bleeds into every area of my life."

Olivia Cowan tells her story of sexual abuse at the hands of Larry Nassar as his sentencing in Ingham County began Tuesday, January 16, 2018. Cowan was 13 when she first went to see Nassar for severe back pain. She said Michigan State University should have known about Nassar.

Larry Nassar takes a seat in the witness box per Judge Rosemarie Aquilina’s instructions. When it’s over, Judge Aquilina will sentence Nassar, the infamous Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics doctor who abused girls and young women under the guise of a medical treatment.

Victim Kyle Stephens addresses Larry Nassar, who was a family friend. He began abusing her when she was 6. Her parents didn't believe her. "This process has been horrific," she said. "You are a compulsive liar. Little girls don't stay little forever. They return as strong women to destroy your world."

Judge Rosemarie Aquilina tells Kyle Stephens, "It is so important what you have just said. ... You are not alone ... I promised you your voice is not unheard now."

Donna Markham speaks on behalf of her daughter Chelsey, who was abused by Nassar at age 12. It affected her deeply, and led to a serious depression. She took her own life at age 23, in 2009. "Every day I miss her," Donna Markham said. "And it all started with him."

Larry Nassar covers his face with a tissue at one point in the testimony.

Former gymnast Jessica Thomashow describes being sexually assaulted when she was 9 and 12 years old by Larry Nassar. On behalf of all the other victims, she said: "We all suffering, having flashbacks, unable to have normal relationships, crying ourselves to sleep at night, asking why."

Larry Nassar bows his head during testimony.

Jade Capua said she was 13 when her innocence was stolen, and there isn't a day that goes by that she doesn't think of the sexual violence she and others endured. She told Nassar, "I am no longer broken by you. Nothing will take away what you have done to me, and others behind me."

Alexis Moore said Nasser sexually abused her hundreds of times. "He should never be allowed to look at or touch another young woman again," she said.

Prosecutors are asking for a term of 40 to 125 years.

Rebecca Mark stares at Nassar during her statement. Says she was a 15-year-old freshman softball player when she was molested by Nassar during a body examination with her mother in the room. She said he blocked her mother's view of what he was doing.

Head bowed, Larry Nassar listens to victims' testimony.

After a lunch break was announced, an officer of the court removes Larry Nassar from the witness stand.

Bethany Bauman said she has started to see a therapist, who has helped her see that she is not to blame for Larry Nassar's assault. "Larry, you are the one who should feel guilt and shame for the rest of your life," she said.

Kate Mahan called Larry Nassar a "master manipulator" in her statement. "Difficult times will either strengthen or break a person." Mahan said she is stronger now, and has learned not to be ashamed.

Danielle Moore looks Larry Nassar in the eye as she states, "He broke me, he stole my innocence for his own sick satisfaction. I will never be whole again."

Prosecutors listen to Nassar's victims make impact statements in front of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina in district court.

Annette Hill makes her victim impact statement. "I often think about suicide to turn off the thoughts of him," she admitted.

Amanda Cormier gave a detailed explanation of all that Nassar stole from her as a result of his assault, from low feelings of self worth to lost confidence to extreme anxiety when seeing a male doctor. "I don't believe you have changed or truly grasped the pain you caused," she said.

Volleyball player Jennifer Rood Bedford, after describing her mortifying experience, said to Nassar: "I do pray for you, and I do forgive you. You will face the consequences for your actions."

Nicole Soos, a figure skater, said she now struggles with intimacy, gets flashbacks and has nightmares. "But I will overcome this," she said. "I am in charge now."

Former gymnast Ashley Erickson has had difficulty trusting people since the abuse. She says she has lost jobs and put her family through hell. "I want this all to go away. I want to be the same Ashley to my family that they once knew," she said. "I will be strong again."

The mother of Lindsey Lemke read a statement on behalf of her daughter. She said that Nassar had told Lindsey and other girls not to tell their parents about the procedures he was performing on them. She said her daughter is scarred forever, that she herself feels guilt for "missing this" and that will never go away. "It's gut-wrenching," she said.