Cornell Fraternity Rape Case Reopened by DA
Prosecutors in New York are reconsidering criminal charges after a civil lawsuit alleges a gang rape at a fraternity.
Prosecutors in New York are reconsidering criminal charges after a civil lawsuit alleges a gang rape at a fraternity.
KEY TAKEAWAYS- Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on Monday that the investigation into an alleged rape at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024 will be reopened.
- According to the civil lawsuit, the woman was 20 years old in 2024 when she visited a friend at the Chi Phi fraternity house while intoxicated.
- Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said that Jane Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 did not allege she was drugged against her will or gang raped.
- [bbc.
Why the Case Is Being Reopened
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced on Monday that the investigation into an alleged rape at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024 will be reopened. The decision follows a civil lawsuit filed earlier this month by a woman who claims she was drugged and gang raped by multiple fraternity members. Van Houten stated that his office will present the case to a grand jury to determine if criminal charges are warranted.
The DA noted that the allegations in the civil lawsuit are 'dramatically different' from the woman's original statement to police in November 2024. Van Houten said his office did not bring charges in 2024 because the initial statement did not allege she was drugged against her will or that she did not consent to sexual activity. He emphasized that the decision was based on the facts as presented in the original statement, not because the case would have been difficult to prove.
Van Houten acknowledged that his office relied on the investigation conducted by Cornell University police and did not independently investigate the allegations. He stated that a screenshot of a Snapchat group chat included in the civil complaint was never provided to his office in 2024. The DA said he is now reviewing new evidence to see if it changes the assessment of the case.
Details of the Alleged Incident
According to the civil lawsuit, the woman was 20 years old in 2024 when she visited a friend at the Chi Phi fraternity house while intoxicated. She alleges that she was pressured by two fraternity brothers into snorting what they said was ketamine. Following this, a man allegedly sent a message to the fraternity's Snapchat group chat suggesting a woman was available for sex, leading to the arrival of more men.
The lawsuit alleges that the woman was raped for several hours at the fraternity house. Jane Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, claims that following an investigation into the allegations, two of the accused were expelled, but no arrests were made. The woman reported the incident to Cornell University police about three weeks later.
Cornell University has stated that its Chi Phi chapter was closed in 2024 and remains barred from campus. The university also noted that it conducted a thorough Title IX investigation, which resulted in sanctions including expulsions and suspensions for the involved students. Cornell emphasized that it supports the DA's decision to allow the victim's story to be heard by a grand jury.
Discrepancies Between Statements
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said that Jane Doe's sworn statement in November 2024 did not allege she was drugged against her will or gang raped. He stated that the statement described her participation in drug use and sexual conduct as voluntary, conscious, and consensual. Van Houten noted that his office had nothing to do with whether the allegations would be difficult to prove.
In response, Jane Doe's attorney Thomas Giuffra disputed the DA's description of the woman's initial statement. He argued that in the days following the assault, the woman was traumatized and in 'self preservation mode,' making it difficult for her to accept the reality of what happened. Giuffra also criticized the lack of follow-up by law enforcement, stating that his client was never contacted by a specially trained detective or district attorney.
Giuffra claimed that the Snapchat group chat messages, which he says were provided to authorities in 2024, were a critical piece of evidence supporting that a crime had occurred. He expressed confusion over how a thorough criminal investigation could have been conducted given that the woman was only interviewed once by a university police officer. The attorney stated that he and his client will fully cooperate with the DA's office to hold the accused accountable.
Sources and context
bbc.co.uk — Twelve women have been killed in one part of South Africa since July. Here's what we know so far
cbsnews.com — Cornell fraternity rape investigation will be reopened, DA says
abcnews.com — District attorney reopens case of alleged Cornell University 'gang rape'
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