A disturbing case relating to Cornell University is once again facing criminal investigation almost two years after the prosecutor chose not to charge anyone. A former student at Cornell, identified as Jane Doe, has filed a civil suit against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity claiming that they drugged and allegedly sexually assaulted her in 2024.
Matthew Van Houten, the District Attorney of Tompkins County, says that his office is re-opening the case and plans to present the case before the grand jury in coordination with the woman. But the decision raises an obvious question: Why were criminal charges not pursued in 2024? According to Van Houten, the allegations contained in the new lawsuit are 'dramatically different' from what prosecutors understood from the woman’s original statement to Cornell University Police.
