New York Governor Kathy Hochul strongly criticized the initial handling of a alleged gang rape case at Cornell University two years ago by police and prosecutors, stating that "those with a duty to protect failed to protect the victim."

Governor Hochul made the remarks during a press conference on October 2 local time while explaining the background behind appointing New York Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor.

Hochul explained that "troubling details" have newly emerged regarding the investigative authorities' initial handling of the case.

Recently released transcripts of a police interview showed that in October 2024, about a month after the incident, the female victim told the Cornell University Police Department, "I am 100% sure I was raped." However, this statement was reportedly omitted from the six-page victim statement summary sent to prosecutors.

"A young woman sat down with the police for hours and told her story," Governor Hochul said. "And according to newly emerged reports, she clearly stated that she was 100% certain she had been raped."

She continued, "Shockingly, those words were completely excluded from the statement sent by the Cornell University police to the prosecutors."

She also raised strong questions about the response of the Tompkins County District Attorney's Office, which has jurisdiction over the area.

"How is it possible that the District Attorney's Office did not interview the victim herself or anyone else involved in the incident, and did not even request the full transcript?" she asked.

She emphasized that she will investigate "who knew what and when, what went wrong, and how this woman was denied justice."

Attorney General James, who spoke at the briefing after Governor Hochul, stated, "This case is now a criminal investigation led by the Office of the Attorney General," adding, "We will review the facts, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and proceed with prosecution if necessary."

Governor Hochul also expressed her intention to revise New York state laws regarding the capacity to consent of sexual assault victims who are intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, using this case as a catalyst.

Current New York law treats victims differently depending on whether they were intoxicated involuntarily or consumed substances voluntarily. Critics have pointed out that when victims who voluntarily drank or used drugs are sexually assaulted while incapacitated, it is difficult to apply certain charges.

"If someone is too intoxicated to consent, it should not matter whether they consumed alcohol or drugs voluntarily," Governor Hochul said. "Voluntary drinking is not a license for sexual assault or gang rape."

She added, "I support closing this loophole and will work with the New York State Legislature."

The case came to light when a female student enrolled at Cornell University filed a civil lawsuit on September 16, claiming she was sexually assaulted by seven male students at the Chi Phi fraternity house on campus in October 2024.

The Tompkins County District Attorney's Office had previously determined that no criminally prosecutable offenses were identified based on the victim statement summary handed over by the Cornell University police. However, criticism of the initial investigation has spread across the United States following the recent release of additional materials, including the transcript of the victim's police interview.

Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten recently announced that he would reinvestigate the case and present it to a grand jury, but Governor Hochul transferred the case to Attorney General James, who was appointed as special prosecutor.

(Photo: Getty Images)