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Nassar Denied New Judge For Appeal

Nassar in courtroom
Scott Pohl
/
WKAR-MSU

Larry Nassar’s attempt to have a new judge consider his appeal in Ingham County has been denied. Nassar is the former Michigan State University sports doctor who sexually assaulted his patients for years.    

Nassar is working through the appeals process – and he wants to be resentenced. But first he wants a different judge to consider his request for a new sentence. Nassar says Judge Rosemarie Aquilina was not fair and impartial when she sentenced him to up to 175 years in prison.    

“This motion filed by Mr. Nassar is just an attempt to revictimize the young women that he harmed for so many years,” said Attorney General’s Office spokesperson, Andrea Bitely. The Attorney General’s office prosecuted Nassar.    

In his order, Judge Garcia said, “The survivors not only wanted to speak, but also needed to be heard and know that the people stand with them.” Garcia said if Aquilina had been dispassionate or polite, the survivors would have felt betrayed and like their voices again hadn’t been heard.  

Attorneys for Nassar have not responded to requests for comment. They can now appeal or have Aquilina decide if Nassar should be resentenced.         

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
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