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New York Governor Kathy Hochul appoints Attorney General Letitia James to oversee the reopened investigation into a 2024 Cornell University fraternity assault case.
New York Attorney General Letitia James has confirmed that the Cornell University fraternity assault case is now an active criminal investigation. This follows the appointment of her office to oversee the reopened investigation, which was initially closed without charges.
Cornell Assault Case Reopens
The case involves a former Cornell University student who alleges she was drugged and gang raped inside a fraternity house in 2024. The woman, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit this month seeking damages against seven men allegedly involved in the assault. According to the lawsuit, Doe willingly drank alcohol before arriving at the fraternity house, where members led her upstairs.
She stated that some of them sexually assaulted her for hours, alleging that they used ketamine to incapacitate her. New York Governor Kathy Hochul lambasted the district attorney's handling of the case back in 2024, saying it was shocking that the Cornell police never sent a full account to prosecutors, despite the victim's clear statement of rape. Hochul appointed an independent special prosecutor, James, to ensure a fresh and thorough review of all the facts.
James has promised to pursue criminal prosecution if warranted, assuring the public that every New Yorker deserves to know that their crime will be investigated fully and fairly. The investigation will take time, but James said she stands ready to lead a process guided by facts and the law. New York law defines rape as engaging in sexual contact with someone who is incapable of consent due to mental disability or incapacitation.
New York Law and Investigation
A person is considered mentally incapacitated if they were temporarily unable to understand or control their actions due to the influence of a narcotic or intoxicating substance administered to them without their consent. Gov. Hochul referenced a gap in state law, saying that voluntary intoxication should not be a license for sexual assault or gang rape. The governor emphasized the importance of a fair and thorough investigation, promising to update the public with details as they arise.
The complaint names more than a dozen defendants, including Cornell University and the Chi Phi fraternity, alleging negligence, breach of contract, sexual assault, and battery, as well as violations of New York's Human Rights Law. The investigation will examine the evidence and follow the facts, James said, promising to go wherever it leads and pursue criminal charges if warranted.
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CP24:Cornell alleged rape case is ‘now an active criminal investigation,’ N.Y. attorney general saysThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Cornell University Sexual Assault Fraternity Criminal Investigation New York Attorney General Fraternity Assault NY AG Letitia James Jane Doe
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