What Cornell’s Jane Doe told investigators in 2024 prompts fresh questions in newly reopened investigation, tell me about this news in (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/what-cornell-s-jane-doe-told-investigators-in-2024-prompts-fresh-questions-in-newly-reopened-investigation/ar-AA2dhbjE?ocid=BingNewsVerp)

The reporting centers on newly surfaced records and statements from a 2024 sexual assault investigation involving Cornell University students, which led prosecutors to reopen a criminal probe:

Case Background

In October 2024, a then-20-year-old female student (referred to as “Jane Doe”) alleged she was drugged, assaulted, and repeatedly raped over several hours by members of the Chi Phi fraternity at Cornell University. While Cornell conducted an internal investigationresulting in two expulsions and several suspensionsno criminal charges were filed by law enforcement or prosecutors at the time.

Why the Case Reopened

The case returned to the spotlight following a federal civil lawsuit filed by Jane Doe against Cornell University and seven former fraternity members. Public pressure and scrutiny prompted the Tompkins County District Attorney’s Office to reopen the criminal investigation and announce plans to present evidence to a grand jury.

Key Revelations from the 2024 Records

Investigative reports obtained by news outlets, including CNN, CBS News, and ABC News, reveal sharp discrepancies between law enforcement’s initial rationale for declining charges and what the records actually show:

• Initial Claims by Prosecutors: The District Attorney had previously defended the 2024 decision not to prosecute by releasing select excerpts from Doe’s initial statement, arguing her description suggested consensual sexual conduct and voluntary substance use, claiming it did not constitute a crime.

• The Full 2024 Statement and Transcripts: Newly revealed documents, including a signed police statement and interview transcripts obtained by reporters, show that Doe explicitly told campus police that while an initial encounter may have started consensually, she was later assaulted, beaten, and subjected to sexual acts without consent. Transcripts show her telling investigators: “I can say with 100% confidence I was raped.”

• Scrutiny on the Handling of the Investigation: Doe’s legal team argues that her initial statements to Cornell police were consistent with her recent civil lawsuit, pointing out that investigators failed to properly follow up on her allegations or conduct a thorough inquiry.

The emergence of these complete records has fueled criticism of both the university police and the district attorney’s office regarding how the original reporting was handled and why the criminal investigation was initially dropped.