NY governor says Cornell rape accuser 'failed' by people obligated to protect her

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has stated that the woman who alleged a gang rape at Cornell University was "failed" by those who were supposed to safeguard her. This includes the campus police and the county prosecutor. Hochul made this assertion on a news conference, revealing she appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor after hearing "troubling details" about how the authorities managed the woman's accusations.

Hochul highlighted that the district attorney ended the case without interviewing the accuser or anyone else involved, including requesting the full transcript. "How does the district attorney not even interview her, or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript?" Hochul questioned. "This young woman, who has already been through something utterly unspeakable, has been failed by people and institutions who were supposed to protect her."

Hochul also criticized Cornell University Police Department for failing to relay the woman's story to prosecutors fully. "After this, I am left wondering why they wouldn't do more to support her."