New York appoints federal prosecutor to lead Cornell assault probe
Attorney General Letitia James has named Jacqueline Kelly to oversee the criminal investigation into the October 2024 assault, a move that follows a governor's decision to remove the local district attorney from the case.
By Lily Carter ·
Seven fraternity members are accused of drugging and sexually assaulting a Cornell University student over a period of seven hours in October 2024. The lack of arrests following the incident has driven a shift in leadership for the ongoing criminal investigation.
New York Attorney General Letitia James appointed Jacqueline Kelly to serve as outside counsel on Wednesday. Kelly previously served as the chief of the civil rights unit in the US attorney’s office for the southern district of New York. She will report directly to James’s office to lead what James described as a fair and comprehensive criminal investigation.
James stated that her office is committed to a process guided only by facts, evidence, and the law. She cited Kelly’s experience in overseeing cases from investigation through trial as the primary reason for the appointment. Kelly thanked James for the trust placed in her, noting that all New Yorkers deserve a thorough inquiry into the facts.
The appointment follows a decision by Governor Kathy Hochul to name James a special prosecutor in the case. Hochul said she lost faith in the ability of Tompkins county district attorney Matthew Van Houten to oversee the matter. This decision came after Van Houten declined to prosecute the case in 2024.
Hochul emphasized that those obligated to protect the victim, including police, had failed her. The victim, known as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit earlier this fall. This legal action intensified public criticism of the university and local law enforcement after no arrests were made.
Lawyers for one of the accused men have asked a court to remove James from the role. They allege prejudice based on a post she shared on X before her appointment. In that post, James called the woman's ordeal horrific and unacceptable while expressing support for survivors.
Judge James R. Farrell considered the motion for removal at a hearing in Sullivan county last Thursday. He deferred a decision, stating that all accused men would need to join the request before he would rule on it. Farrell noted that the case involves a potential for seven defendants, making separate proceedings impractical.
