The unfolding of the Cornell University alleged gang rape lawsuit has brought new insights. The Tompkins County district attorney recently decided to revisit the criminal case following discrepancies between the victim’s original statement and the lawsuit’s content.
Fraternity Group Snapchat Messages
CBS News New York has secured exclusive video footage from the fraternity’s group Snapchat chat. This footage originates from the night when a former Cornell student claimed she was drugged and assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house. At 1:42 a.m. on the alleged incident date, a message suggested a woman was available for sexual activities, to which another member responded affirmatively.
Legal Actions and Claims
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, is represented by attorney Thomas Giuffra. “Not one of these guys was arrested. Not one. That I can tell you for a fact,” Giuffra stated. The lawsuit names seven individuals, including Scott Kretzschmar. Attorney Jeremy Saland defends Kretzschmar, who is specifically accused of pouring ketamine onto Doe’s body. Saland argued there is no ketamine evidence in Kretzschmar’s system, citing a hair follicle test, though CBS News New York has not independently verified this data. Saland added that Kretzschmar left the room after a short time, not witnessing any apparent distress from Doe.
District Attorney’s Investigation
Despite past statements made by Doe, which did not originally claim involuntary drugging or rape, DA Matthew Van Houten is reopening the investigation. He noted that Doe’s initial statements characterized the encounter as voluntary. Giuffra argued that while Doe was traumatized and operating in a mode of self-preservation, the initial police report aligns with the current lawsuit. A senior prosecutor is set to present the case to a grand jury.
Legal Reactions and University Position
Saland expressed confidence in the outcome: “We welcome the opportunity and are confident, overwhelmingly so, it will resolve in the same way it already did previously, with no charges.” Cornell University has sided with the district attorney’s decision, acknowledging its previous Title IX investigation. Additionally, Andrew Miltenberg, representing Gillio Lopes, another defendant, has stated that Lopes “unequivocally denies the allegations against him.” The university’s past inquiries into the events also exhibited inconsistencies with the current claims.
Both legal representatives emphasize the significance of concrete evidence and the legal approach over media narratives.