District attorney defends past decision not to seek criminal charges in Cornell rape allegations

Key Points:

• Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced a reopening of the investigation into a 2024 alleged sexual assault at Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity house, with plans to present the case to a grand jury.
• The civil lawsuit filed by a former Cornell student, Jane Doe, accuses seven fraternity members of drugging and raping her, while the fraternity chapter was banned from campus but faced no criminal charges initially.
• Van Houten defended the original decision not to prosecute, citing Doe’s initial statement describing the sexual conduct and drug use as voluntary and consensual, though new evidence from the lawsuit is prompting renewed scrutiny.
• Cornell University stated it imposed significant sanctions, including expulsions and suspensions, through its Title IX process and supports the district attorney’s move to bring the case before a grand jury.
• The lawsuit also alleges negligence by Cornell, the fraternity, sorority, and a local bar, Moonies, which denies serving alcohol to the intoxicated victim; public outrage has intensified calls for accountability and justice.