Larry Nassar’s second day of sentencing in Eaton County got off to a typical start this morning but was soon thrown into chaos when a man lunged at Larry Nassar. WKAR’s Katie Cook has more from the courtroom.
Randall Margraves is the father of three daughters who are all victims of Larry Nassar. After two of his daughters made their statements to the court Friday morning, he asked to speak. Judge Janice Cunningham allowed him to.
"I would ask you to as part of this sentencing, to grant me five minutes in a locked room with this demon," Margraves said. Many in the courtroom laughed. "Would you do that? Yes or no?"
"You know I can't do that," Judge Cunningham answered.
"Would you give me one minute?" He said. There was more laughter, then Margraves lunged at Nassar, who was sitting nearby at the defendant’s table.
In that moment about a dozen people leapt into action, some to tackle Margraves to the floor while others whisked Nassar out of the courtroom.
Later Margraves and his attorney were brought back in the courtroom so Judge Cunningham could address the contempt of court.
Margraves apologized, explaining he had been hearing his daughters’ statements for the first time. They didn’t tell him what they were going to say. He became very angry listening to them describe their abuse, and watching Nassar shake his head while they were speaking.
Judge Cunningham said she could give Margraves a jail sentence or fine him up to $7,500, but she didn’t want to do that. She expressed sympathy with what he was going through, and made him promise there would be no more disruption. He was dismissed from the courtroom.
Sentencing will proceed until 4:30 pm Friday, and is expected to continue into next week.