Prosecutor pressed on decision to not file charges in Cornell Univ. rape case, tell me about this news in (https://www.cnn.com/2026/09/28/us/video/cornell-university-jane-doe-rape-case-district-attorney-lead-jake-tapper)

The news centers around an interview on CNN where anchor Jake Tapper pressed Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten regarding the decision not to file criminal charges in a high-profile sexual assault case involving a former Cornell University student.

CBS News

The case involves a woman, referred to as Jane Doe, who alleged she was drugged and gang-raped by seven fraternity members at Cornell in 2024. After the district attorney’s office previously opted not to pursue criminal charges, the case gained intense national scrutiny and sparked a civil lawsuit, leading to renewed public debate over how institutions and prosecutors handle allegations of campus sexual assault.

During the segment, Tapper closely questioned District Attorney Van Houten over the handling and thoroughness of the investigation, pressing him on the decisions made behind the choice not to prosecute. The interview drew widespread attention as Tapper challenged the justifications provided by the prosecutor’s office regarding the evidence and the steps taken during the initial review.