Prosecutors in New York have decided to reopen an investigation into a rape case involving students from Cornell University. This move follows a lawsuit filed by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, in the Supreme Court of the State of New York. She alleges that in October 2024, multiple men drugged and brutally raped her at a fraternity house on the Cornell campus.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten announced in a nine-page statement that his office is reexamining this case. He plans to present it to a grand jury once suitable charges are determined, with a senior prosecutor experienced in sex crimes leading the preparations.

Cornell University responded to the news with a statement of support for the prosecutors’ decision while defending the institution’s handling of the case two years earlier. Kyle Kimball, Vice President for University Relations, stated that Cornell had conducted a comprehensive Title IX investigation, which continued for several months. This investigation led to hearings where evidence was reviewed, leading to expulsions and suspensions. The identities of those facing these actions were not disclosed.

The Xi chapter of Chi Phi fraternity, to which the alleged perpetrators belonged, was banned from campus following the initial reports. Jane Doe is pursuing legal action against seven alleged rapists, the fraternity, Cornell University, and others involved. Her attorneys remained unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

Jane Doe’s lawsuit attracted significant attention and scrutiny on social media. Addressing the public interest, Van Houten clarified that his office’s original decision stemmed from Doe’s sworn statement, which did not claim she was drugged or gang raped. Instead, it described her drug use and sexual encounters as voluntary. This contrasts with the allegations laid out in the civil lawsuit filed nearly two years later.

Van Houten emphasized that Doe’s legal representatives had never reached out to amend the original statement or to request a reconsideration of the prior decision. He has since reached out to them to resolve these discrepancies.