Washington
Kathy Hochul appointed Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell assault case
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor on Oct. 1, 2026. The attorney general's office said it would investigate an alleged October 2024 assault at Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity house.
Why it mattersThe state takeover could lead to criminal charges after local prosecutors previously declined to prosecute.
How we got here
- Doe reported an alleged assault to the Cornell University Police. CBS News
- Doe told Cornell police and university personnel that she was raped with one hundred percent confidence. CBS News
- Doe filed a civil lawsuit against seven Chi Phi members, Cornell, and other defendants, alleging drugging and sexual assault. CBS News
- Van Houten announced the reopening of the criminal investigation and assigned a senior prosecutor for potential grand-jury presentation. Gov
- A report was published detailing Doe's statement that an encounter felt like coercion. ABC News
What's likely next
- Civil case: Doe’s lawsuit proceeds separately from the criminal investigation. No civil trial date had been announced, and defendants will have an opportunity to contest the claims.
- Any of the Cornell 7 formally charged with a felony sex crime in a U.S. state or federal jurisdictionUnlikely36%▼ from 46% yesterday
All coverage
The coverage
- Cornell student who made rape allegations said sexual encounters 'felt like coercion' in 2024 statementABC News · Sep 30
- Jane Doe in Cornell University case told campus police, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped," transcript showsCBS News · Sep 30
- Prosecutor reopens probe into Cornell gang rape allegations after accuser files lawsuitAP News · Sep 29
- Civil lawsuit prompts renewed criminal scrutiny in Cornell fraternity assault caseWjla · Oct 1
- District attorney reopens case of alleged Cornell University 'gang rape'ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos · Sep 28
Analysis & opinion
- OPINION | BRENDA LOOPER: Women’s fury over handling, reaction to Cornell case is reasonable - The Arkansas Democrat-GazetteThe Arkansas Democrat-Gazette · Sep 30 · opinion
- Cornell legal analysis: 'I would have never relied on campus police'WSTM · Sep 29
- Cornell 7 shows colleges can’t probe sex assaultsNew York Daily News · Oct 2 · opinion
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