It was the most amazing courtroom testimony I’ve ever heard. And if you haven’t heard it yourself, you need to.
Years ago, Rachael Denhollander was a vulnerable teenage gymnast under the supposed medical care of Larry Nassar, the Team USA gymnastics doctor who may be the most prolific sexual abuser in American history. A year and a half ago, Rachael bravely filed a police complaint that ultimately led to his conviction on sexual assault charges and a prison sentence of 40 to 175 years.
The number of Nassar’s victims has now reached over 260 young women, as more and more accusations continue to come in. Last week in a Lansing, Michigan, courtroom, 156 of his victims gave statements detailing what Nassar had done, how his serial child molestation had been overlooked for decades and how the system had failed these girls and women.
Rachael Denhollander’s comments, however, went further.
Leaving the judge to serve justice, Denhollander spoke directly to Nassar – and served grace. But not before forcing Nassar to face the enormity of the evil he had inflicted on innocent children. Denhollander clearly defined what Nassar did as sin. “You have become a man ruled by selfish and perverted desires,” she said. “You chose to pursue your wickedness no matter what it cost others.”