A lawsuit accuser in a Cornell University gang-rape case says she was “misled” about whether a criminal investigation was ongoing after she first went to police. Her lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, tells the Associated Press that Cornell’s police department gave her the impression the inquiry continued even though the district attorney decided not to pursue charges shortly after her initial substantial interviews. The accuser is identified in court documents as “Jane Doe.”
Giuffra says the Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten chose not to move forward within days. Van Houten reportedly asked Cornell police to convey that decision, but he did not speak personally with the woman or her lawyer. Other outlets report newly unearthed video involving Chi Phi fraternity brothers who told investigators the alleged assault was consensual and described it as between “consenting adults.” Coverage also notes references to a witness whose account aligns with those statements.
