+34
New York Governor Kathy Hochul criticized Cornell University police and local prosecutors for failing to fully investigate an alleged gang rape in 2024. State Attorney General Letitia James has been appointed as a special prosecutor to oversee the reopened inquiry after allegations emerged that police omitted the victim's statement that she was raped.
New York governor Kathy Hochul on Friday faulted police and prosecutors for failing to fully investigate an alleged gang rape in 2024 at Cornell University , saying she was “deeply disturbed” by how the incident was handled.
Hochul was speaking at a press conference alongside state attorney general Letitia James , whom she appointed on Thursday night as a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations. The case has drawn fresh scrutiny after the alleged victim filed a lawsuit accusing fraternity members of raping her while she was intoxicated, prompting widespread outrage over how the matter was handled in 2024.
On Monday, Tompkins County district attorney Matthew Van Houten said he was reopening an investigation, which will now be overseen by James’s office. Van Houten has defended his office’s decision in 2024 not to pursue charges, saying the woman’s sworn statement to police did not contain allegations that rose to the level of a crime under state law.
New York law makes it more difficult to prosecute sexual assault cases in which the victim voluntarily became intoxicated, according to experts and advocates. Some news outlets have reported in recent days that the woman told police unequivocally that she was raped, but that investigators did not include that claim in the sworn statement that was provided to prosecutors.
Hochul criticised Cornell police for that omission, while also questioning why Van Houten’s office did not interview the woman directly or review the full transcript of her police interview.
“This young woman had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable, and then at every turn she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her,” Hochul said. In a statement after the press conference, Van Houten said he supported James’s appointment and would co-operate with her investigation.
“It has become clear that we were not provided the full picture by the University,” he said. “The focus has been and should continue to be on the victims. ” A Cornell spokesperson said the school supports James’s appointment and is “committed to an independent external review of all aspects of how Cornell has handled this case”, but did not address Hochul’s specific criticisms.
In an interview with CNN , the woman’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, endorsed Hochul’s decision to appoint James, saying he had little faith in local prosecutors’ handling of the case. Hochul also said she would work with the state legislature to update the state’s sexual assault laws and eliminate the current distinction between victims who voluntarily consumed intoxicants and those given substances without their consent.
Several lawmakers have already renewed calls to pass legislation addressing what they described as a loophole in the law.
“If someone is too intoxicated to consent, it should not matter whether they chose to use drugs or alcohol,” Hochul said. – Reuters
Cornell University Sexual Assault Investigation Kathy Hochul Letitia James New York
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News: You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Audi’s new Q7 is diesel-only until next yearBig new SUV is properly in-your-face, but there’s a better option if you don’t need the seven seats…
Read more »
Former UK Adviser Challenges California GovernorIn a bizarre turn of events, a former UK adviser to David Cameron has entered the fray in California's gubernatorial election, touting populist measures and drawing attention from a prominent Republican.
Read more »
A New Direction: Evanne Ní Chuilinn's Transition from Broadcast to PoliticsEvanne Ní Chuilinn, a longtime sports journalist for RTÉ, has made a significant career shift by becoming a senator in the Irish Oireachtas. This transition, facilitated by a phone call from the Tánaiste, Simon Harris, sees her leveraging her expertise in good governance and sports to drive legislative reform from a political platform.
Read more »
Cornell University Fraternity Rape Scandal: New Documents Reveal Jane Doe Decision ProcessNewly obtained records from a university review illuminate the three-week period following a Chi Phi fraternity party at Cornell University where a sophomore, known as Jane Doe, was allegedly sexually assaulted. The documents detail how Jane Doe initially refrained from identifying herself as a victim until she read online forum posts framing the event as a gang rape. Although the Tompkins County district attorney declined to bring criminal charges, Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit against seven men and underwent multiple Title IX hearings at the university.
Read more »