New York Governor Appoints Special Prosecutor in Cornell University Rape Case

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed a special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University, citing newly released information that has undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor's handling of the case. (aljazeera.com)

The special prosecutor, state Attorney General Letitia James, will take over the case and review the evidence, according to the governor's office. (pbs.org)

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation on Monday after Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit accusing seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of sexually assaulting her. (aljazeera.com)

The order states the Tompkins County district attorney declined to prosecute the case in November 2024 without speaking to Jane Doe and relied, at least in part, on information from a Cornell police statement that omitted her assertion that she had been sexually assaulted. (aljazeera.com; pbs.org)