Judge Orders Courtroom Closed For Testimony Against Larry Nassar
CHARLOTTE, Mich. (AP) — A judge has barred the public from the courtroom when two women and a teenage girl are expected to testify that a Michigan sports doctor sexually assaulted them during medical appointments.
The Lansing State Journal reports Eaton County District Court Judge Julie Reincke said Friday she will allow one support person for each of the witnesses against Larry Nassar to be present for the June testimony. She says one print reporter will be allowed but will be prohibited from identifying the witnesses.
Nassar was a doctor for Michigan State University athletics and USA Gymnastics, which trains Olympians. He's charged with molesting 10 girls in the Lansing area. Not-guilty pleas have been entered on his behalf.
Reincke's order also bars civil attorneys who are suing Nassar and Michigan State. MSU fired Nassar in September. His medical license was revoked last week, three months after it was suspended.
More than 20 females are suing Nassar claiming they were assaulted under the guise of treatment.
Many of the women have the same allegations: During the course of Nassar's treatments, the doctor allegedly inserted "his bare, ungloved and unlubricated hand" into the victim's vagina, according to the complaint. When one woman reported Nassar's disturbing "treatments" to the MSU training staff, she was allegedly told that Nassar was a world-renowned doctor and that his "inter‐vaginal adjustments" were legitimate medical treatments.
Nassar, who is also charged in federal court with possessing child pornography, remains jailed without bond.
©Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
