Tompkins County DA reopens investigation into alleged 2024 Cornell fraternity rape
publishers 31articles 38first reported 26 Sep, 21:09 UTCdeveloping since 27 Sep · 5 editions
Tompkins County prosecutors have reopened an investigation into allegations that a former Cornell University student was drugged and raped by seven men at the Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit on September 16 accusing seven former or current fraternity members of assaulting her over about seven hours. The lawsuit also accuses Cornell and law enforcement officials of not doing enough. Cornell barred the Chi Phi chapter from campus following the incident, and its internal Title IX process resulted in sanctions, including the expulsion of two fraternity members, according to the woman’s lawyers.
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office initially declined to bring charges because Doe’s November 2024 sworn statement described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary and consensual. He said the civil complaint contains allegations that are “dramatically different” and that a senior prosecutor experienced in sex-crime cases is preparing the matter for a grand jury, with Doe’s cooperation.
Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, disputed the district attorney’s characterization, saying the original police account is not materially different from the lawsuit. He also said investigators trained to interview sexual-assault survivors never followed up with his client and failed to fully examine evidence, including a fraternity group chat.
CBS News reported obtaining video of Snapchat messages from the night that appeared to discuss whether a woman was available for sex. An attorney for one defendant denied his client assaulted Doe and said he expects the renewed review to result in no charges. Cornell said it supports the district attorney’s decision to reopen the case.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 8 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one (7 if wire copies count as one too); this version written 36 h after the record first saw the story; the editor revised it.
- Publishers
- 31
- Source articles
- 38
- Given to the writer
- 8, 4 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 8 (7 if wire copies count as one)
- This version written
- 36 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- revised
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
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