Cornell University Reopens Alleged Gang Rape Investigation

CBS News New York has obtained new details regarding the alleged gang rape lawsuit at Cornell University. This comes after the Tompkins County district attorney announced the reopening of the criminal investigation, citing inconsistencies between the victim’s original statement and the lawsuit’s allegations.

New Evidence Emerging

A video of the fraternity’s group Snapchat conversation from the night the incident allegedly occurred has surfaced. A former Cornell student claims she was drugged and raped inside the Chi Phi fraternity house. At 1:42 a.m. on the night in question, messages exchanged on the group chat implied availability for what appeared to be non-consensual sexual activity.

“Shop still open?” asked one fraternity brother. The response was, “Yea.”

Attorney Thomas Giuffra, representing the woman identified as Jane Doe, stated: “Not one of these guys was arrested. Not one. That I can tell you for a fact.”

Defense Statements

Attorney Jeremy Saland, representing Scott Kretzschmar, one of the seven defendants named in the lawsuit, addressed accusations against his client. The lawsuit accuses all defendants of sexual assault and brings a sexual battery claim against each. Specifically, it alleges Kretzschmar poured ketamine onto Jane Doe’s body and snorted it. Saland countered, stating, “Absolutely not,” and cited a hair follicle test showing no presence of ketamine in Kretzschmar’s system. This test has not been independently reviewed by CBS News New York.

Saland shared that his client saw the Snapchat messages, entered the room briefly, and left. “She was not undressed. He didn’t see her under duress,” Saland stated.

Ongoing Legal Proceedings

District Attorney Matthew Van Houten is reopening the investigation, noting that Jane Doe’s statement from November 2024 did not claim she was drugged or gang raped. She reportedly described her actions as voluntary and consensual. Her attorney, Giuffra, argued that she was in “self-preservation mode” and maintains that investigators did not fully pursue evidence, including in the group chat. A senior prosecutor experienced in handling sex crimes is now preparing the case for the grand jury.

“We welcome the opportunity and are confident, overwhelmingly so, it will resolve in the same way it already did previously, with no charges,” Saland expressed.

Support from Cornell University

Cornell University has stated it supports the district attorney’s decision to reopen the case. The university explained that months of investigation through its Title IX process had resulted in sanctions.

Additionally, attorney Andrew Miltenberg, representing defendant Gillio Lopes, stressed: “We represent Mr. Lopes. He unequivocally denies the allegations against him.” He emphasized that allegations are not proof and that judgment should be based on evidence.

“These are serious accusations, but accusations are not proof. Mr. Lopes should be judged on the evidence, not prejudged based on allegations made in a lawsuit or repeated in the media. We will address these issues through the appropriate legal process and will have no further comment at this time.”