Jane Doe, a former Cornell sophomore, filed a civil suit last month alleging that she was gang‑raped in October 2024 at a fraternity house on campus. The complaint names the university, the fraternity, its seven members—referred to in court as the Cornell 7—and a sorority for failing to protect her.
A New York Times investigation uncovered that Cornell investigators did not directly ask the accused about rape, instead inquiring about their whereabouts and conversations. The resulting statements, now in the public domain, show the seven accused giving markedly different, often contradictory accounts, with one claiming he was a victim of sexual misconduct.
Hochul said she had lost faith in Tompkins County District Attorney’s office after the DA chose not to file criminal charges against the seven. She cited the new evidence and said the appointment would ensure a "fair" inquiry.
James said her office would conduct a comprehensive review of the investigation and the university’s response. She added that the probe would examine the conduct of Cornell Police and the county prosecutors.
The investigation will culminate in a preliminary hearing on July 15, after which the special prosecutor will decide whether to pursue criminal charges. Cornell has yet to issue a formal statement on the appointment, while Doe, who left the university after the alleged incident, says she feels the case has finally received the attention it needs.