First Randall Margraves asked a judge for “five minutes in a locked room with this demon” — referring to Dr. Larry Nassar, the doctor who assaulted his three daughters and many other women, including those on the USA Gymnastics team.
The judge said she couldn’t grant his request, so Margraves asked for one minute, and he was denied again. Then he raced across the courtroom, lunging at Nassar. Police barely stopped him in time before throwing him to the ground and cuffing him.
As they restrained him, he pleaded for another chance at that “son of a b—-.”
The dramatic moment Friday brought a flood of support for Margraves.
More than 30 survivors have given statements against him, and in another hearing last week, more than 15o women accused him of abuse while purporting to give them medical treatment. Among his accusers are Olympic gold medalist Aly Raisman and her fellow USA team gymnasts, Gabby Douglas and Simone Biles.
The former Michigan doctor was sentenced 40 to 175 years in prison after being accused of sexual abuse. According to the New York Times, Nassar has already been sentenced to 60 years in federal prison for child pornography convictions.
Margraves later apologized, saying he had lost control. But Eaton County Judge Janice Cunningham said there was “no way” she would punish him for contempt of court.
“I don’t know what it would be like to stand there as a father and know that three of your girls were injured physically and emotionally by somebody sitting in a courtroom. I can’t imagine that,” she said.
As of Friday night, a GoFundMe page had earned more than $18,000 for Margraves — though he won’t need the money for a legal defense, thanks to the judge’s decision.
Bette Midler was among those who celebrated Margraves, writing simply: “Larry Nasser should hang. Bravo to this father.”
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson weighed in: “We all understand this father’s action. Nassar’s punishment will go far beyond sentencing. Behind bars, he’ll soon know what hell means. He’ll be well taken care of.
We all understand this father’s action. Nassar’s punishment will go far beyond sentencing. Behind bars, he’ll soon know what hell means. He’ll be well taken care of. https://t.co/6Fo47mppFo
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 2, 2018
Larry Nasser should hang. Bravo to this father.
# https://t.co/G62HXA03Xf— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) February 2, 2018
Randall Margraves ✊#GiveHimAMinute https://t.co/4EYt5CnbpB
— Jason Bertocchi (@Jasops_Fables) February 2, 2018