New York appoints special prosecutor to lead Cornell sexual assault investigation
Governor Kathy Hochul named Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in the alleged 2024 gang rape case at Cornell University after the county district attorney’s handling was questioned, prompting a renewed campus and national response.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced Thursday that State Attorney General Letitia James will serve as special prosecutor in the investigation of an alleged gang rape of a former Cornell student that occurred in October 2024. Hochul said she had lost confidence in the Tompkins County district attorney’s ability to oversee the case fairly and that the appointment aims to ensure a thorough review of all evidence.
The alleged assault, reported to campus police by the victim—identified in court filings as Jane Doe—took place at the Chi Phi fraternity house. Initial police documentation condensed Doe’s interview into a six-page statement that omitted her explicit claim of rape, according to records obtained by the New York Times. The district attorney’s office declined to file criminal charges, citing the limited scope of the statement and the evidence provided.
Cornell University said it had shared all investigatory information with the district attorney and supports the governor’s decision. The university has not disclosed individual disciplinary outcomes, citing federal privacy laws, but confirmed that policy violations could result in suspension or expulsion. The Chi Phi chapter was banned from campus in 2024 following the incident.
Students, faculty and parents expressed strong reactions at a public forum, with student assembly president Eeshaan Chaudhuri describing the campus as “ashamed” of the events. Several students called for resignations of university officials and highlighted concerns about the institution’s Title IX process.
Attorney General James will now have authority to investigate the case, present evidence to a grand jury, and pursue prosecution if warranted. A news conference is scheduled for Friday to outline next steps.
The district attorney, Matthew Van Houten, maintained that the evidence reviewed did not constitute a crime and noted that his office had access to Snapchat messages and a transcript in which Doe stated she was raped. Doe’s civil lawsuit, filed last month, alleges that she was given alcohol, pressured to use ketamine, and assaulted while incapacitated. Lawyers for three of the accused have denied wrongdoing.