23 hrs ago
Cornell Records Detail Conflicting Accounts in Fraternity Assault Case
A woman identified in court papers as Jane Doe says she was assaulted at a Cornell fraternity house in October 2024.
She told university investigators that drugs and alcohol left her partly unable to protect herself.
She said she felt like bait while men gathered around her.
Some of the men gave different accounts and disputed parts of what she said.
Cornell held a large school investigation with many interviews and hearings.
A panel cleared one man of sexual assault and exploitation but found him responsible for attempted sexual exploitation.
The woman has sued Cornell and seven former students.
A local prosecutor did not bring criminal charges after reviewing a police summary.
New York's governor has now appointed the state attorney general to lead a renewed criminal investigation.
Court-filed Title IX records include interviews and disciplinary findings concerning allegations of assault at Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity house in October 2024.
Jane Doe told investigators she was intoxicated, partly defenseless and felt like “bait” as men gathered around her; she alleges she was repeatedly assaulted.
Several accused men disputed parts of her account, and one said he briefly entered the room to check whether everyone was all right.
Cornell's investigation included 50 interviews with 32 witnesses and 12 days of hearings; the university said some students were expelled.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James to lead a renewed criminal investigation after criticizing the local district attorney's handling.
- Who
- Jane Doe, seven former students she sued, Cornell University, and officials involved in the renewed investigation.
- What
- Records from Cornell's disciplinary investigation detail allegations of sexual assault, conflicting accounts, and the university's disciplinary process.
- Where
- Chi Phi fraternity house at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York.
- When
- The alleged encounter occurred in October 2024; the records concern a later investigation, and the renewed criminal investigation was announced this week.
- Why
- The records were filed in court in a lawsuit challenging Cornell's disciplinary punishment; the governor appointed a special prosecutor after saying she had lost faith in the local district attorney.
Jane Doe's account
Accused students' accounts
Consent and capacity
Jane Doe's account
Jane Doe said intoxication left her partly defenseless and alleged in her lawsuit that she was too intoxicated to consent to the sexual activity.
Accused students' accounts
The disciplinary panel found that she initially consented to sex with one fraternity member and his friend; some accused men disputed her account or denied involvement in an assault.
One man's presence and conduct
Jane Doe's account
Jane Doe accused one man of snorting drugs off her body.
Accused students' accounts
He denied that account, saying he was in the room briefly, did not see her naked, and left after she and another man indicated they were all right. Cornell cleared him of sexual assault and exploitation but found him responsible for attempted sexual exploitation.
Key facts
- Alleged incident
- October 2024 at the Chi Phi fraternity house
- Plaintiff
- Identified in court papers as Jane Doe
- Civil lawsuit
- Jane Doe sued Cornell and seven former students, seeking unspecified damages
- Investigation scale
- 50 interviews with 32 witnesses and 12 days of hearings
- Criminal case
- The local district attorney declined to file charges after reviewing a police summary
- Renewed investigation
- Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor
- Discipline
- Cornell said its investigation resulted in some students being expelled
Quotes
Accused Cornell student
A man accused by Jane Doe who denied participating in an assault.
“You look like an operating human being. You don't look dead or asleep necessarily. So, lights are on, but nobody's home. Your brain is not functioning at its proper level.”
NDTV
“I felt like bait. I felt like lions around me. It just was a totally debilitating place to be in.”
NDTV
Sources
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