New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to reinvestigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, citing concerns over the initial handling of the case. The investigation was reopened following a civil lawsuit by the alleged victim, Jane Doe, who claims seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity sexually assaulted her in 2024.
Hochul accused Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten of failing to interview Jane Doe or request the full transcript of her statement, leading to the initial decision not to prosecute. The governor emphasized the need for transparency, stating that the full account given to police was not conveyed to prosecutors, despite Jane Doe’s assertion of being 100% confident she was raped.
The appointment of James means the state attorney general’s office will now control the criminal investigation, with potential evidence presented to a grand jury. The case has reignited debate over New York’s definition of incapacity to consent, prompting calls for legislative changes to close a legal loophole allowing offenders to avoid rape charges if victims were voluntarily intoxicated.
Cornell has suspended and expelled some of the accused students, and the university is conducting an independent review of its response. The case has sparked nationwide discussions on institutional failures and the need for stronger protections against sexual assault.