Judge Rosemarie Aquilina (L) looks at Larry Nassar (R) during the victim impact statements. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)
The military has not yet come up with fiber as strong as you…. Mattel ought to make toys so that little girls can look at you and say, ‘I want to be her.’ Thank you so much for being here, and for your strength.
— Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, who is presiding over the case of former Olympic doctor Larry Nasser, after Bailey Lorencen gave her victim impact statement on Monday. Judge Aquilina has given similar words of encouragement to many of those who have made statements, and she’s accommodated every woman or girl who wanted her voice heard. Initially, 88 victims were expected to have statements, but the most recent count has ballooned to 158, many encouraged by the testimony already given. Barracuda Aquilina (the nickname she earned during her service in the military) has made her opinion — that Nasser should spend the rest of his life in prison — clear. Nasser already faces 60 years in jail on child pornography charges.