Cornell University will not release a six-page victim report detailing an alleged gang rape at a 2024 fraternity party. The decision arrives as newly surfaced interview transcripts and messages challenge the initial handling of the case by campus and local authorities.
University Withholds Police Investigation Report
The six-page victim report compiled following the alleged assault at a Chi Phi fraternity party remains confidential. A Cornell University spokesperson stated that campus police transferred a lengthy investigation file to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office, directing all inquiries regarding the documents to prosecutors.
The allegations surfaced publicly after a plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against seven then-members of the fraternity. The complaint states that the victim was drugged with ketamine at a frat party and raped by multiple men.
Diverging Accounts and Reopened Prosecutor Review
Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten initially declined to pursue criminal charges, stating that the sworn statement initially provided by Cornell lacked elements required for prosecution. Van Houten noted that the allegations detailed in the subsequent civil lawsuit are dramatically different from the initial paperwork.
However, the district attorney’s office has since reopened the review following new disclosures. According to CBS News, a transcript of the accuser’s interview with campus police shows she stated she was “100% certain” she was raped. Van Houten confirmed to the outlet that his office did not receive that interview transcript during the initial review and intends to follow up on it.
Snapchat Messages and Evidence Gaps
Investigators are also reviewing Snapchat messages sent by fraternity members that were not provided to the DA’s office at the time. These digital communications may play a key role in the reopened inquiry.
Related reading