Letitia James Vows Fair Probe of 7 Cornell Defendants as Bias Challenges Mount

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 16

Seven men accused in the Cornell fraternity assault case will face a “fair” investigation, Letitia James said Friday, as pressure grows over whether she can serve as an impartial special prosecutor.
Sept. 28 comments are driving the challenge: James posted support for the alleged victim days before Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed her, and defense lawyers for two defendants say that shows she prejudged the case.
Donald Trump also attacked James’ role, calling her “corrupt,” while Hochul defended the appointment and said she trusts the attorney general to follow the facts and record.
The case stems from a 2024 allegation that a Cornell student was gang-raped at a Chi Phi party; local prosecutors previously declined charges for lack of sufficient evidence under New York law.
Cornell’s separate Title IX process still imposed discipline on several of the seven defendants, including expelling two students and suspending two others.