Accused man seeks to remove NY attorney general from Cornell rape case

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 29 Oct, 23:09 · Archive

A man accused in a Cornell University rape case is asking a judge to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from the investigation.

A man accused in a gang rape lawsuit at Cornell University is asking a judge to remove New York Attorney General Letitia James from overseeing the renewed criminal investigation, claiming her social media posts demonstrate bias.

The accuser, identified in court papers as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit alleging that several men raped her at a fraternity party in October 2024. She said some men pressured her into using ketamine and marijuana and that she drank alcohol that left her too intoxicated to consent.

On 28 September, James posted to X and Facebook: 'What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable...To her, and to all survivors: you're not alone. We stand with you.' Three days later, Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order removing the case from Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who declined to bring charges in 2024, and appointed James as special prosecutor.

Within days, lawyers for two of the accused men filed challenges to James' appointment. A judge is hearing one challenge in Monticello on Thursday, approximately 72 miles northwest of Manhattan.

How it is being reported

• Man accused in Cornell rape lawsuit wants Letitia James removed from investigation over her postsPittsburgh Post-Gazette · 29 Oct, 18:43
• Man accused in Cornell rape lawsuit wants Letitia James removed from investigation over her postsMONTICELLO, N.Y. — Should social media posts disqualify New York’s attorney general from leading a criminal investigation into gang rape allegations at Cornell University?TribLIVE · 29 Oct, 18:29

In this story: Letitia James · Jane Doe · Cornell University · New York · Kathy Hochul · Matthew Van Houten

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