A Cornell University student who voluntarily provided investigators with key information in the alleged gang rape of a fellow student says she feels deeply let down by the way authorities handled the case. The student spoke to reporters anonymously Sunday citing fears of retaliation.
The woman said she first heard whispers about the alleged assault within two days of the incident occurring on the night of October 19 into October 20 at the Chi Phi fraternity house. The alleged victim known publicly as Jane Doe claims she was given alcohol and ketamine before being gang raped by multiple fraternity members.
After Cornell issued a campus safety alert about a reported sexual assault at a fraternity house rumors spread rapidly among students. The anonymous student said she decided to bring information to police after seeing screenshots of a Chi Phi Snapchat group message that referred to Doe in disturbing and degrading terms.
She said she sat with officers for roughly half an hour and walked them through what she knew including details about potential witnesses drug use at the fraternity and where ketamine was allegedly stored. She described the officers as appearing competent during the interview.
Despite her cooperation she said students were left with the impression that nothing was being done. While they assumed the case was being properly investigated people continued visiting Chi Phi including the room at the center of the allegations.
Cornell police records obtained by NBC News showed that investigators spoke with multiple witnesses and received anonymous tips but that the gathered information was never forwarded to the local district attorney for review. Tompkins County DA Matthew Van Houten ultimately declined to pursue charges citing insufficient evidence of criminality.
Van Houten has since agreed to reopen his inquiry but New York Governor Kathy Hochul removed him from the case and appointed state Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff said in a video statement Saturday that the allegations are deeply disturbing and that he welcomes an independent review by an outside law firm. The university previously stated it conducted a thorough Title IX investigation that resulted in expulsions and suspensions.
Doe filed a civil lawsuit last month naming Cornell University the Chi Phi chapter and seven fraternity brothers as defendants. None of the seven men have faced criminal charges. Attorneys for three of the named men have denied the allegations. The Chi Phi national organization permanently expelled the chapter and removed the named members.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673.