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Hochul Appoints James as Special Prosecutor in Cornell Case
Confirmed
In Short: New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate an alleged sexual assault at Cornell University.
Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that she has appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the Cornell sexual assault case.
Hochul said she had 'lost faith in the Tompkins County DA’s ability to fairly oversee' the case, citing newly released information that raised serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute.
James will investigate the incident and, if warranted, prosecute any offenses arising from that investigation and present evidence to a grand jury.
The case involves a former Cornell student, referred to as Jane Doe, who filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged, assaulted, and 'gang raped' by seven former and current members of the Chi Phi fraternity.
Hochul called for an outside review of the case, saying the allegations raised 'serious questions about Cornell campus culture' and whether the university is doing all it can to protect students.
Cornell University has agreed to initiate an independent investigation into how the university handled the allegations.
Van Houten acknowledged that his office relied on the investigation conducted by Cornell Police and did not independently investigate the allegations.
James said her office would not take the responsibility lightly and would ensure the matter was fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias.
Cornell’s Chi Phi chapter was barred from campus after the alleged incident, though none of the individuals allegedly involved faced criminal charges.
Several New York lawmakers are pushing to strengthen the state’s sexual assault laws in response to the case.
Cornell University supports James' appointment and has agreed to Hochul's call for an independent investigation.
What this adds
Cornell University has announced it will close its campus at noon, two hours after canceling classes for the day.
What's confirmed
- “Newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute an alleged sexual assault on Cornell University’s campus in October 2024,” the Governor said in a statement.
- “The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued,” the Governor said.
- Related: DA reopens investigation and Cornell statement addresses lawsuit over 2024 rape case “As special prosecutor, the Attorney General will investigate this incident and, if warranted, prosecute any offenses arising from that investigation and present evidence to a grand jury,” she added.
- New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Thursday said she issued an executive order to appoint Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor for the alleged “gang rape” that took place at a Cornell fraternity in 2024.
- “Every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated fully and fairly. The Governor has entrusted my office with this investigation, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,” James said.
- "This has, in turn, undercut my faith, and the public's faith, in the District Attorney's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the case at this time,” Hochul added.
- Late last month, the former student, listed as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit alleging that she was drugged, assaulted and "gang raped" by seven former and current members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell.
What's still developing
- “This action will ensure that the matter is fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias, and handled independently with the rigor that this matter demands.” A communication major in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Daniela Lee, died on Tuesday evening, according to a statement Wednesday from Ryan Lombardi, Cornell University Vice President for Student and Campus Life.
- […] Cornell University has announced that it’s closing its campus at 12 noon, two hours after announcing that classes were canceled for the day.
- “Multiple prosecutors and criminal investigators reviewed Jane Doe’s statement and correctly determined the alleged facts as set forth in the statement do not constitute a crime,” he said in a written statement.
- Other prosecutors have said the current statutes tie their hands even in cases with credible witnesses and lots of evidence.