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This GIF Of Judge Aquilina Throwing Away Larry Nassar's Letter Is Everything

by Lauren Holter
Scott Olson/Getty Images News/Getty Images

Larry Nassar found out Wednesday that he'll be spending the next few decades in prison for sexual abusing young girls, and a GIF of Judge Rosemarie Aquilina and Nassar's letter about his victims' testimonies makes a powerful statement about the severity of his case. In the letter Nassar sent to Aquilina last week, the convicted doctor asserted that he was a "good doctor" who the media had portrayed as "wrong and bad." But Aquilina wasn't buying it, proven by the fact that she ripped up his letter in front of him.

"I was a good doctor because my treatments worked, and those patients that are now speaking out are the same ones that praised and came back over and over," Nassar wrote in the letter, which Aquilina read from in court. "The media convinced them that everything I did was wrong and bad. They feel I broke their trust. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned." The letter also charged survivors with falsely accusing him for media attention and financial reward.

Nassar pleaded guilty to a total of 10 charges of first-degree criminal sexual conduct in two separate Michigan counties, as well as federal child pornography charges. Aquilina sentenced him to up to 175 years in prison on Wednesday for seven counts of sexual assault — "I've just signed your death warrant," she told him.

Nassar was previously sentenced to 60 years behind bars for child pornography, and is scheduled to be sentenced for the remaining three assault charges in Eaton County next week.

Nassar admitted in court last year to sexually abusing almost a dozen underage girls, but now more than 150 women have accused him of sexual assault. He offered a brief apology on Wednesday:

An acceptable apology to all of you is impossible to write and convey. I will carry your words with me for the rest of my days.

The letter Aquilina received from Nassar just last week sent a very different message, however. "The media is sensationalizing this. The [attorney general's office] forced me to [plead guilty]. I was so manipulated by the AG, and now Aquilina, and all I wanted was to minimize stress to everyone," the letter read. "The FBI investigated [my Olympic treatments] in 2015 because nothing was wrong. Now they're seeking the media attention and financial reward." He further asserted that his state cases were "medical, not sexual," but because of the child pornography charges he "lost all credibility."

Nassar's letter also criticized the federal judge who sentenced him to 60 years for child pornography. "The federal judge went ballistic at sentencing," he wrote. Aquilina looked at Nassar after reading his letter out loud and pointed out that, despite his apology, his previous statements didn't show any remorse.

"I find that you don't get it, that you're a danger," she told him. "You remain a danger."

The judge also called for an investigation into how Nassar was able to remain a practicing doctor for so long.

"Inaction is inaction. Silence is indifference. Justice requires a voice. And that's what happened in this court," Aquilina said Wednesday.

158 buckets of water were placed on your so-called "match" that got out of control. There has to be a massive investigation as to why there was inaction — why there was silence. Justice requires more than what I can do on this bench.

Ripping up his letter in court punctuated the judge's belief that Nassar should spend the rest of his life in prison.

It was my honor and privilege to hear these survivors. It’s my honor to sentence you. You do not deserve to walk outside a prison again.