New York governor appoints special prosecutor in Cornell sexual assault case

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to review the 2024 sexual assault case at Cornell University. The investigation concerns allegations from a woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who reported being drugged and gang-raped by seven men at the Chi Phi fraternity house when she was 20 years old. The case gained renewed attention after the victim filed a civil lawsuit last month against the fraternity members, the university, and a bar.

Governor Hochul stated that newly surfaced information raised significant questions about the initial investigation by Cornell police and the decision by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houton not to pursue criminal charges. Reports indicate that the initial police statement contained more details than those ultimately forwarded to the prosecutor's office. Van Houton previously cited specific loopholes in New York state law regarding victims who consumed alcohol or drugs voluntarily as a barrier to prosecution.

In response to this case, Governor Hochul has pledged to reform state legislation to strengthen protections for victims who were incapacitated during assaults. Attorney General James has committed to a thorough review of all evidence to ensure justice is served, as the state works to address potential flaws in the handling of sexual assault reports.