Woman at centre of Cornell rape inquiry 'failed' by officials, says New York governor
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed the state's Attorney General to take over a Cornell University rape investigation, citing failures by local officials. The move follows a civil lawsuit and criticism regarding how the initial case was handled, including the handling of voluntary intoxication.
Why it matters
The case highlights significant legal and institutional debates regarding sexual assault investigations and the definition of consent when alcohol or drugs are involved.
Share Save Add as preferred on Google Max Matza Hochul: ‘What we learned yesterday raised... troubling questions’ New York Governor Kathy Hochul has said the woman at the centre of the Cornell University rape case was "failed" at "every turn".
The woman, known as Jane Doe in legal documents, alleges she was drugged and raped by several men at a fraternity house in 2024.
The case was investigated at the time but no charges were laid. It recently reopened after the woman filed a civil lawsuit last month that thrust the allegations into the national spotlight.
At a news conference on Friday, Hochul said she was "deeply disturbed" by how the investigation was handled. She has now appointed New York Attorney General Letitia James to lead the case.
This appointment was made after Hochul said she "lost faith" in the local prosecutor's ability to oversee the investigation.
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10 other newsrooms covered this event. We read each version separately.
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