Tompkins County, N.Y. – Cornell University and New York state officials have agreed to reopen the investigation into a former student’s allegation of a gang sexual assault after the district attorney’s office reported it never received the interview transcript from campus police.
Key developments
Jane Doe, who identified herself as a former Cornell student, told university police in a November 2024 interview that she was gang‑raped on the night of Oct. 19, 2024. A transcript of that interview was obtained by WCBS and reported by CNN, but Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said his office never received the document.
Van Houten cancelled a scheduled CNN appearance, stating he must focus on the investigation and any new evidence that has emerged. He confirmed the office will keep the public informed of any developments and any action taken by the Tompkins County Grand Jury.
What the statements say
According to a six‑page written statement Doe signed with Cornell police, she was heavily intoxicated that night and initially consented to a threesome but later refused additional sexual activity, describing the subsequent encounters as coercive. She noted that the men should have recognized her intoxication from her slurred speech.
The statement also indicates Doe believed that if she passed out and the men continued, they could be charged with rape. The interview, conducted on Nov. 14‑15, involved a campus police investigator, a Title IX investigator, a victim advocate, and Doe’s adviser.
University’s response
Cornell University maintains that it turned over all investigatory materials to the district attorney’s office, including a lengthy police investigation report. The university’s spokesperson reiterated that sharing all relevant information with the DA’s office is standard protocol when a possible crime is identified.
When pressed about the missing transcript, the spokesperson said the university “shared all investigatory information” and directed further questions to the district attorney.
Legal and political reactions
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer criticized Cornell’s handling of the case, saying the university failed to act swiftly to identify and prosecute the alleged perpetrators. New York State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced the formation of a legislative working group to review the state’s sexual‑assault laws, emphasizing a commitment to ensuring justice for victims.
Van Houten indicated that the district attorney’s office relied on Doe’s written statement, which prosecutors determined did not constitute a crime under existing statutes. He noted that multiple prosecutors and investigators reviewed the statement before reaching that conclusion.
Next steps
The district attorney’s office will investigate the claims that the transcript was not provided and will assess any additional evidence that emerges. Cornell University has pledged to cooperate fully with the renewed inquiry.
Both the university and the district attorney have said they will keep the public updated as the investigation proceeds.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
