NY governor appoints AG James special prosecutor in Cornell rape case

Hochul expressed that the district attorney's handling of the matter and questions surrounding the Cornell police department's investigation had "undercut my faith, and the public’s faith, in the district attorney’s ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the case at this time." She stated that James would oversee the investigation and present evidence to a grand jury if warranted, ensuring the matter is handled independently and rigorously.

The former Cornell University student, identified by the pseudonym Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit in September alleging she was gang-raped at a fraternity in 2024. The case has drawn national attention and raised concerns about the lack of criminal charges. Van Houten maintained that the initial police account did not include allegations of the victim being drugged or incapacitated, and that he had relied on a summary rather than a detailed transcript of her interview.

The lawsuit names seven men, Cornell University, and the Chi Phi fraternity as defendants. Lawyers for two of the accused men have denied the allegations. Cornell University has suspended the Chi Phi fraternity indefinitely and disciplined or expelled some students, while also agreeing to an independent investigation into its handling of the student's allegations.