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| Father of sexual abuse victims charges towards Larry Nassar in court during sentencing, Randall Margraves (L) lunges at disgraced former USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar (wearing orange) during victim impact statements in a Michigan courtroom. (Reuters) |
The father of three sexual abuse victims tried to attack disgraced former Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics team doctor Larry Nassar during his sentencing hearing in Charlotte, Mich.
After one of his three daughters detailed Nassar’s sexual abuse when she was 13 years old during her victim impact statement, Randall Margraves charged at Nassar before being blocked by the ex-doctor's lawyer, Matthew Newburg, and restrained by three deputies, according to multiple reports.
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| Father of sexual abuse victims charges towards Larry Nassar in court during sentencing |
Margraves asked Eaton County Court Judge Janice K. Cunningham if he could have five minutes alone with the man who assaulted his three daughters, Lauren, Madison Rae and Morgan. When Cunningham said that wasn’t possible, he asked for one minute, and when she refused again, he rushed at Nassar.
“Let me at that son of a bitch,” Margraves said as deputies pinned him to the ground and handcuffed him. “I want that son of a bitch. Give me one minute with that bastard. One minute.”
He asked the deputies, “What if this happened to you guys?”
As emotions ran high, a number of people in attendance could be heard crying amid the ruckus. Assistant Attorney General Angela Povilaitis asked the courtroom not to respond violently.
“You haven’t lived through it, lady,” Margraves responded, before being led out of the courtroom.
Margraves appeared before Cunningham hours later, facing the possibility of a jail sentence and fines up to $7,500 for “direct contempt” and “assault and attempt to batter,” but he was not charged.
Judge Cunningham said she cannot fathom what he is going through, but said: "I cannot condone vigilante-ism or any other action that comes down to eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth." Says "Use the legal system to do it."
Judge Cunningham said Margraves will be released but is going to ask for his solemn promise that this was an immediate and emotional reaction of a father. Margraves apologizes to Judge, courtroom, officers,
Margraves said he came in support of his daughters, but heard things he had never heard before and grown upset when he saw Nassar shaking his head. Said he's embarrassed: "I lost control and I apologize 100 times."
At least 65 victims are scheduled to provide impact statements before Nassar’s sentencing in Eaton County. He has already been sentenced to 60 years in prison for pleading guilty to possessing child pornography in federal court and another 175 years for assaulting more than 150 victims in Michigan.
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