Father of Larry Nassar victims lunges at disgraced doctor in court

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Randall Margraves, father of three victims in the gymnastics sexual abuse case, was released Friday afternoon after he tried to attack former team doctor Larry Nassar in a Michigan courtroom.

Margraves was giving a statement during a new sentencing hearing for Nassar when he requested five minutes alone in a locked room "with this demon."

"Would you give me one minute?" Margraves persisted, after Eaton County Judge Janice Cunningham declined his request.

Randall Margraves (L) lunges at Larry Nassar. /VCG Photo

Margraves later bounded toward Nassar, who cowered in his chair as the hulking Margraves approached, following another denied request.

Margraves was restrained by sheriff's deputies and hauled out of court. He returned a few hours later to apologize to Judge Janice Cunningham, who said there was "no way" she would punish him under her contempt of court powers. She noted the anguish felt by families over Nassar's crimes.

“Now I have to worry that my daughters can ever trust another man the rest of their life. The survivors and the victims are the most important now and my daughters are a part of that," Margraves said.

The incident occurred during the third and final sentencing hearing for Nassar on assault charges. More than 30 victims have given statements so far during the hearing, which began Wednesday and is expected to stretch into next week.

During a similar hearing that ended last week, more than 150 girls and women came forward to say Nassar abused them under the guise of medical treatment while he worked with Michigan State University and USA Gymnastics. He was sentenced to up to 175 years in prison in that case.