Discretion advised: This story involves allegations of sexual assault.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed a special prosecutor Thursday, October 1, to oversee the investigation into a woman's allegations that she was gang raped at a Cornell University fraternity house in October 2024, saying she had lost confidence in the local district attorney's ability to handle the case.
Who Was Appointed
Hochul signed an executive order appointing the office of New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor. James will oversee the investigation and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury. "The Governor has entrusted my office with this investigation, and we do not take that responsibility lightly," James said in a statement.
Why Hochul Took This Step
Hochul said in a statement: "Newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute an alleged sexual assault on Cornell University's campus in October 2024."
The District Attorney's Prior Decision
The appointment comes just five days after Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced he would reopen the investigation into the former student's allegations, after reviewing new information that surfaced through the woman's civil lawsuit. Van Houten had originally declined to prosecute the case.
What Cornell Has Done So Far
Cornell has said it suspended the Chi Phi fraternity indefinitely and disciplined or expelled some students after the woman, identified in proceedings as "Jane Doe," reported her alleged assault. Separately, Hochul told ABC News that Cornell agreed Wednesday to initiate an independent investigation into how the university handled the allegations, following the governor's call for a "transparent, independent review" of the school's response.
Cornell's Response
In a statement, the university said: "Cornell shares Governor Hochul's commitment to addressing campus culture issues, which affect universities across the nation and New York."
The Accuser's Own Words
During a 2025 Cornell University hearing investigating the fraternity house sexual assault allegations, the woman said: "I felt like bait."
Background on the Case
The alleged assault has become one of the more closely watched campus sexual assault cases in recent years, drawing public attention under the shorthand "the Cornell 7" — a reference to the group of students involved in the allegations. The case has raised broader questions about how universities and local law enforcement jointly handle campus sexual assault investigations, and about the adequacy of the original police and prosecutorial response.
What's Next
With James's office now overseeing the investigation and Cornell's own independent review underway, the coming months are likely to bring further developments on both the criminal and institutional fronts. For continuing coverage, see the full ABC News report.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, support is available through the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673, or online at rainn.org.