DETROIT (MI)
The Detroit News
August 14, 2018
By Kim Kozlowski
Ingham County Judge Rosemarie Aquilina was not biased against serial pedophile Larry Nassar, and should stay on his case as he appeals the sentence, a judge ruled Tuesday.
Chief Judge Richard Garcia wrote in his ruling that Nassar pled guilty to criminal sexual conduct against seven young girls, using his medical credentials to assault them and admitted that his procedures served no medical purpose and were for his own sexual gratification. Garcia also noted that Nassar agreed to allow more than the seven named survivors to provide impact statements at sentencing, resulting in more than 150 women and girls to come forward.
Citing case law, Garcia wrote that consideration of victim impact statements by those who testified at sentencing does not amount to “a prejudice or bias that give rise to disqualification.”
“In fact, the language of punishment need not be nice,” Garcia wrote. “Judge Aquilina clearly understood the importance of righteous indignation. She also understood the role of the court to have this emotion controlled by the judge rather than allow it to run wild in the community. She explained that as she expressed her indignation, there was a palpable decrease in the tension in the gallery. This was a controlled burn.”
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