New details have emerged in the lawsuit concerning an alleged gang rape at Cornell University. The Tompkins County District Attorney has decided to reopen the criminal case. This comes after discrepancies were found between the victim’s original statements and the allegations in the lawsuit.
New Evidence Surfaces
CBS News New York has obtained exclusive video footage of a fraternity group Snapchat conversation from the night a former Cornell student claims she was drugged and raped in the Chi Phi fraternity house. A message in the chat at 1:42 a.m. suggested the availability of a woman for sex, reading, “Shop still open?” with a response, “Yea.”
Legal Representatives Speak
Attorney Thomas Giuffra represents the woman, identified as Jane Doe. He expressed frustration that no arrests have been made, emphasizing the failure to act based on clear evidence. Jeremy Saland, representing Scott Kretzschmar, one of the defendants, denied claims against his client. He stated that Kretzschmar never used ketamine as alleged, supported by a hair follicle test showing no presence of the substance.
Case Reopened by the District Attorney
Matthew Van Houten, the District Attorney, stated that Jane Doe’s sworn statement in 2024 described her actions as voluntary. However, Giuffra countered, arguing that the police failed to thoroughly investigate, particularly ignoring the fraternity’s group chat.
A senior prosecutor is now preparing the case for a grand jury, with Jane Doe’s potential testimony and new evidence under consideration.
Responses From Defendants and University
Defense attorney Saland expressed confidence that the reopened case will conclude without charges. Cornell University has affirmed support for the DA’s decision and noted that its own investigation led to sanctions. Another attorney, Andrew Miltenberg, representing defendant Gillio Lopes, rejected the accusations against his client, emphasizing the need for judgment based on evidence rather than allegations.
The situation remains dynamic as the legal process unfolds.