Jane Doe's Texts on Cornell Case Spark Backlash

The woman suing seven Chi Phi members over an alleged 2024 gang rape was misled about the criminal case, her lawyer said. Thomas Giuffra said Cornell police told her investigators were still working after the prosecutor had dropped it.

• 6-page police summary led the district attorney to decline charges.
• Giuffra says the summary omitted her statement that she was raped.
• 2 students were expelled and 2 suspended after Cornell's internal process.
• Lawyers for two accused men deny participating in any sexual assault.

Why it matters: District Attorney Matthew Van Houten said her 2024 sworn statement described drug use and sex as consensual. Her lawsuit alleges she was drugged, coerced and incapacitated.

• New York law counts incapacitation as rape only if intoxication was involuntary.
• The New York Times reported a Cornell investigator's push for more evidence was rebuffed.

How 33 sources split on this story

Where they split: Coverage divides over whether the authorities failed the accuser or whether the accused now face a prejudged process.

What’s next: Hochul removed Van Houten after he reopened the case and appointed James as special prosecutor. James has not said how long her investigation will take.

• Hochul has pledged to close what she calls a loophole on voluntary intoxication.
• Students staged a dining hall sit-in demanding expulsions and new disciplinary procedures.
• Who at Cornell police told the woman an investigation was ongoing, and why?
• Could any charges succeed under current New York law on voluntary intoxication?
• Will James's earlier public comments on the case affect her investigation?