New York Lawyer Common Letitia James has been appointed as particular prosecutor within the Cornell College sexual assault investigation, Gov. Kathy Hochul introduced Thursday, following rising scrutiny and uproar over how college police and the native district legal professional’s workplace dealt with the matter two years in the past.
Hochul stated in a press release that “newly launched info continues to boost severe questions concerning the investigation,” which has in flip “undercut my religion, and the general public’s religion.”
She stated James, who has been legal professional normal since 2019, will take over the case of a former Cornell College scholar who alleged in a lawsuit final month that she was raped, sexually assaulted and plied with medicine by members of Chi Phi fraternity in 2024.
The scholar made a report back to Cornell police about three weeks after the incident she alleges, and the matter was investigated by the Tompkins County district legal professional, who stated he discovered “inadequate proof to help felony prices” on the time. This week, District Lawyer Matthew Van Houten stated his workplace will have a look at the case once more, however he defended its preliminary determination, saying the lady’s assertion to police in 2024 “described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, acutely aware, and consensual.”
The lady, recognized solely as Jane Doe, sued the college, seven Chi Phi fraternity brothers and different defendants on Sept. 16. Not one of the seven was criminally charged.
The Chi Phi nationwide fraternity stated in a press release Sept. 18 that it couldn’t focus on particular allegations throughout pending litigation. It known as the allegations “deeply regarding,” and its native chapter has been barred from campus.
“As particular prosecutor, the Lawyer Common will examine this incident and, if warranted, prosecute any offenses arising from that investigation and current proof to a grand jury,” Hochul stated.
She stated Jane Doe “deserves to know that each truth shall be examined and justice pursued.”
“This motion will be sure that the matter is absolutely and totally investigated with out battle or bias, and dealt with independently with the rigor that this matter calls for,” she stated.
Doe’s legal professional, Thomas Guiffra, praised James’ appointment Thursday, saying he and Doe “had no religion in DA Van Houten’s capacity or need to actively examine and prosecute this case.”
“We had been dismayed that shortly after we agreed to offer him all the help he wanted, he printed an announcement which questioned whether or not a criminal offense was dedicated,” Guiffra stated. “The latest disclosure when he claimed that he by no means reviewed the transcript the place Ms. Doe stated “I’m 100% sure I used to be raped” was the final straw.”
Guiffra’s comment was an obvious reference to the transcript of Doe’s interview with campus police in 2024, which was reported by CBS Information earlier this week. Van Houten instructed NBC Information on Wednesday that that particular allegation was not within the written assertion his workplace obtained from Cornell police on the time. NBC Information has not reviewed that transcript.
Guiffra stated he supposed to put in writing a letter to Hochul requesting she appoint a particular prosecutor, and stated he and Doe “look ahead to working with Lawyer Common James to lastly get hold of justice.”
James stated in a press release Thursday night: “Each New Yorker deserves to know that once they report a criminal offense, it will likely be investigated absolutely and pretty. The Governor has entrusted my workplace with this investigation, and we don’t take that accountability flippantly.”
“I stand prepared to steer a course of New Yorkers can belief, guided by the info and the legislation,” she added.
The college confirmed Wednesday that it agreed to Hochul’s name for an unbiased investigation, and it backed James’ appointment Thursday night time.
“Cornell helps Governor Hochul’s determination to assign this case to the New York Lawyer Common’s Workplace,” the college stated in a press release.
Van Houten didn’t instantly reply Thursday night time to emailed requests for remark.
Seven Cornell College college students are accused of drugging and raping a fellow scholar at a Chi Phi get together in 2024.
Daniel Arkin, Adam Reiss and Abigail Brooks contributed.
