Cornell ‘gang rape’ case: Hochul and Letitia James provide update after AG appoints special prosecutor

NEW YORK (WABC)– The Cornell rape accuser was “abandoned” by those expected to protect her, including police and prosecutors, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul said at a news conference Friday.

A visibly outraged Hochul blasted the Cornell University police, the Tompkins County district attorney and the state’s rape laws before introducing Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor in the controversial case.

James told a packed news conference at the governor’s office that it is now an “active criminal investigation.” She promised a full and fair investigation.

“Every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated thoroughly and fairly, seen and heard, that is the promise of our justice system,” James said.

Hochul said the system failed with Jane Doe. Information from his police interview was not passed to the prosecutor, who subsequently failed to question him.

“I am deeply troubled by the Cornell University Police and the way they handled this matter,” Hochul said. She said sending a “partial file” to the prosecutor was a failure.

“In what world could police learn from the victim that she was literally gang raped” and that she “100 percent” believed she was raped and not bring up those allegations, Hochul said.

Hochul claimed the Tompkins County prosecutor failed to do the “bare minimum” and interview the woman after receiving the six-page police report.

“In what world would the prosecutor not question him or even ask for the full transcript?” » Hochul asked again. This is “exactly why we are here today and why I took action last night.”

Tompkins County Prosecutor Matt Van Houten told ABC News that CUPD’s six-page summary of Jane Doe’s allegations convinced him that no crime had occurred.

Hochul also used the opportunity to call for a change in state law regarding voluntary intoxication in sexual assault cases. She said lawmakers need to address this part of the law as soon as possible.

Jane Doe’s attorney said he and his client were “pleased” that the governor appointed a special prosecutor because “the contradictions between the prosecutor’s statements and those of the Cornell police have been shocking.”

Van Houten said Friday he supported the governor’s decision to remove him from the case and pledged his cooperation with the attorney general.

Cornell also approved Hochul’s decision to remove the prosecutor from the case and assign it to James.

“We fully support the appointment of a special prosecutor and efforts to change New York State’s rape law and are committed to conducting an independent external review of all aspects of Cornell’s handling of this case,” a spokesperson said.