Hochul: Cornell Accuser 'Failed' by Those Obligated 'to Protect Her'

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday that the woman who accused members of a Cornell University fraternity of gang rape was "failed" by people obligated to protect her, including police and the county prosecutor. Hochul spoke during a news conference in which she detailed her decision to turn the case over to a special prosecutor, state Attorney General Letitia James. The governor said she made the decision after learning "troubling details" about how authorities have handled the woman's claims thus far, reports the AP. "In what world does the district attorney not even interview her, or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript?" Hochul said. "This young woman had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable. And then at every turn, she was failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her."

She also assailed the Cornell University Police Department for not fully conveying the woman's story to prosecutors. "After this young woman came forward, she spoke to the police. She sat for hours and told them exactly what happened to her. And according to new reports, she could not have been clearer that she was 100% confident that she had been raped," the governor said. "Yet, shockingly, those words never made it into the account that the Cornell police sent to prosecutors." Hochul said Thursday that she appointed James to oversee the case because she had lost faith in the local district attorney's ability to handle it. The investigation initially was closed without charges in 2024.

Last month, the woman filed a lawsuit and Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten reopened the investigation. He has since been bombarded by criticism and drawn a national spotlight, notes NBC News. James will oversee the investigation and, if warranted, present evidence to a grand jury, Hochul said. "The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued," she said Thursday. Van Houten didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.