- Hochul expressed shock and dismay at the allegations and grave concern about how authorities handled the case after the woman initially came forward to police.
- Hochul criticized the handling of the case, noting that the victim's clear statement of rape never made it into the account sent to prosecutors, and questioned why the district attorney did not interview her or request the full transcript.
- Hochul said new reporting raises serious questions about the information the Tompkins County district attorney's office relied upon when it made the initial decision not to prosecute the case.
- James said her office will lead an active criminal investigation into the gang rape allegations, guided by the facts and the law.
- Hochul said she was deeply disturbed by how Cornell police handled the case, calling the partial record sent to the DA a failure.
- Hochul highlighted a gap in state law regarding voluntary intoxication and consent, stating that it should not be a license for sexual assault.
- Hochul did not call for resignations, and James said her investigation will focus on the gang rape allegations, not the DA's actions for now.
- Hochul wants the truth about who knew what and why the woman was denied justice, expressing her concerns over the handling of the case.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor to investigate a gang rape allegation involving a former Cornell University student, expressing her dismay at how the case was handled by local authorities. Hochul stated, "This woman, this young woman, had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable, and then at every turn, she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her."
The governor's decision follows newly released information that raised serious questions about the Tompkins County District Attorney's office and Cornell police's handling of the case. Hochul emphasized that the victim was clear in her account, stating, "She could not have been clearer that she was 100% confident that she had been raped." However, this crucial information was not included in the report sent to prosecutors.
Hochul criticized the district attorney's office for not interviewing the victim or reviewing the full transcript of her statement, saying, "In what world does the district attorney not even interview her or anyone else involved?" The governor also highlighted a gap in state law regarding consent and intoxication, pledging to work with lawmakers to address this issue.
James, in her role as special prosecutor, stated, "I stand ready to lead a process guided by the facts and the law." She will focus on the gang rape allegations and ensure a thorough investigation, aiming to bring justice to the victim.
The case has garnered national attention, with the victim filing a lawsuit against the university and fraternity members involved, alleging they plied her with drugs and assaulted her over several hours.
Hochul's actions reflect a growing concern over how sexual assault cases are handled, particularly in educational institutions, and the need for systemic change to protect victims.
“Hochul cited a gap in state law, saying voluntary intoxication should not be a license for sexual assault, and will work with lawmakers to close the loophole. James said her office will review facts, gather evidence, and pursue prosecutions if warranted, focusing on the gang rape allegations.”
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