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Impartiality dispute grows in Cornell probe

The lawyer for one of the seven men on trial in the Cornell University investigation said Letitia James, who was appointed special prosecutor last week, should remove herself from the case. The lawyer pointed to James’s public post before her appointment, which expressed support for the victim.

New York Attorney General James said on Sept. 28 on the social media platform X that the young woman’s ordeal was “horrific and unacceptable,” and offered support to survivors. The defense lawyer argued that those remarks conflicted with the need to assess the evidence independently. The lawyer said James was not being accused of acting in bad faith, but argued that a voluntary recusal would help remove doubts about the investigation.

Pressure mounts on the university leadership

Cornell University in New York has come under heavy criticism over allegations tied to an October 2024 incident. In the case file, the woman identified as Jane Doe says she was drugged and raped for hours at a fraternity house party, and alleges that the university failed to protect her.

According to reports in the U.S. media, hundreds of students and faculty members staged a protest on campus on Monday. Cornell’s senate, made up of faculty and academic staff, is also expected to hold a vote of no confidence in the administration next week. While such a move would not be directly binding, it is seen as a symbolic step that could increase pressure on university leaders.

How will the independent review work?

On Tuesday, Cornell University appointed former U.S. Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review the institution’s policies and procedures on sexual assault and related misconduct. According to the university, the review will also examine whether Cornell followed its own rules and processes in responding to Jane Doe’s allegations.

How did state officials respond?

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said, when asked about the impartiality dispute, that James would act on the facts. Hochul said the special prosecutor would review the evidence and proceed where it led, adding that if the evidence supports charges, the necessary steps will be taken.

  • The special prosecutor’s investigation covers not only the alleged assault, but also the initial response by law enforcement and the university.
  • The separate review launched by the university focuses on Cornell’s sexual assault procedures and its internal handling of the incident.
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