Cornell 7 case timeline: From 2024 Chi Phi allegations and Jane Doe lawsuit to Letitia James' special prosecutor takeover
The 2024 Cornell case has been reopened, with Letitia James now leading the criminal investigation as special prosecutor.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has heavily criticised the handling of an alleged gang-rape case at Cornell University by campus police. Hochul, along with New York's Attorney General Letitia James, wants laws changed to ensure rape victims are not denied justice even if they have consumed alcohol or drugs. The case, which involved a student accusing five others of gang-raping her in a fraternity house, attracted international attention after the victim filed a civil lawsuit last month.
According to investigation records, the victim told a police officer she was "100% confident" she had been raped, but this statement was omitted from an official police report. Hochul expressed deep distress over how the police failed the victim at every stage, and she is committed to closing a legal loophole that makes it difficult to prosecute rape cases when the victim is intoxicated.
James has now taken over the case and confirmed it is the subject of an active criminal investigation.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
