Governor replaces DA with New York AG Letitia James as special prosecutor in Cornell case, tell me about this news today

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order removing Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten from the investigation into an alleged 2024 sexual assault at Cornell University, appointing New York Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor.

Washington Examiner

Key Details of the Decision

• The Core Reason: Governor Hochul stated that newly released details raised serious concerns regarding both the initial inquiry by the Cornell Police Department and Van Houten’s original decision not to prosecute the alleged assault. Hochul noted that these developments undercut public and executive confidence in the local DA’s office to handle the matter objectively and rigorously.

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• Authority of the Attorney General: Under the executive order, Letitia James’s office takes over full investigative authority and has the mandate to present evidence directly to a grand jury if criminal charges are warranted.

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• Background of the Case: The case stems from an October 2024 incident at Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity house, where a female studentidentified in legal filings as Jane Doealleged she was drugged and sexually assaulted by multiple students. The local DA had declined prosecution at the time. Following a recently filed civil lawsuit containing new evidence and widespread public backlash, Van Houten attempted to reopen the case, but Hochul intervened to place the matter under state jurisdiction.

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