District attorney reopens case of alleged Cornell University 'gang rape'
Summary
The Tompkins County District Attorney in New York has reopened a 2024 investigation into an alleged gang rape at Cornell University after a new civil lawsuit renewed public attention. Prosecutors are reviewing new evidence and plan to present the case to a grand jury, despite earlier decisions not to file criminal charges.Key Facts
- A student at Cornell University accused seven fraternity members of gang rape in 2024.
- The Chi Phi fraternity chapter at Cornell was banned after the incident, but no criminal charges were filed initially.
- The District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, said the woman’s original police statement differed from the recent civil lawsuit and did not allege she was drugged or forced.
- The DA’s office did not conduct an independent investigation at the time and relied on Cornell Police findings.
- New evidence, including a group chat claimed to have been shared with police in 2024, was not previously reviewed by prosecutors.
- The DA plans to present the case to a grand jury with the cooperation of the alleged victim.
- The victim’s attorney criticized authorities for lacking proper follow-up and specialized handling of the case.
- The reopening follows public outrage after the civil lawsuit was filed in 2026.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.