New York attorney general appointed special prosecutor in Cornell rape case
publishers 72articles 82first reported 28 Sep, 10:32 UTCdeveloping since 28 Sep · 15 editions
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in the investigation of an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, removing Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from oversight of the case.
Hochul said newly released information raised serious questions about the investigation by Cornell University Police and the district attorney’s earlier decision not to prosecute. Under the governor’s executive order, James may investigate, prosecute any offenses if warranted and present evidence to a grand jury.
The case stems from an alleged assault at a Cornell fraternity house in October 2024. A former student, identified as Jane Doe in court filings, alleges she was drugged and raped by seven men. She filed a civil lawsuit in September against Cornell and the men, accusing the university of failing to protect her or adequately punish those involved. Attorneys for some of the accused have denied the allegations.
Van Houten previously said there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges and that his office had not initially received much of the information disclosed recently. He reopened the case after the civil lawsuit was filed. NPR reported that the woman had given campus police a detailed account stating that she was raped.
Cornell said it supports Hochul’s decision. The university has declined to release a six-page report from its internal investigation, which resulted in sanctions that Cornell said included expulsions and suspensions.
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Written from 8 articles, 4 with the publisher's own text; 7 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 48 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
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- 8, 4 with the article's own text
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- This version written
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