Judge Hears Bid to Remove Letitia James in 7-Man Cornell Rape Case
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
Judge Hears Bid to Remove Letitia James in 7-Man Cornell Rape Case
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 29
Summary
Sullivan County Judge James Farrell heard arguments Thursday on whether Letitia James should be disqualified as special prosecutor in the reopened Cornell sexual assault investigation, but issued no immediate ruling.
Defense lawyer Andrew Miltenberg argued James' pre-appointment social media post supporting the accuser showed presumed guilt and tainted prosecutorial neutrality; the state said removal requires proof of actual prejudice, not speculation.
Farrell pressed the state on Governor Kathy Hochul's Oct. 1 appointment of James, asking whether officials knew of the post and whether public remarks about the "brave young woman" created professional-conduct problems.
The challenge comes in a case involving seven former Chi Phi fraternity brothers accused in a lawsuit of drugging and raping a Cornell student in October 2024 after the local district attorney had declined charges.
A written ruling expected in coming days will determine whether James stays on the case or whether the investigation must be reassigned, with Farrell warning against conflicting rulings across jurisdictions.
What new evidence reopened the Cornell sexual assault case after no charges were filed—and could the fight over the special prosecutor derail it?
Can a prosecutor who publicly called a Cornell assault allegation “horrific” still lead the criminal investigation without undermining trust in neutrality?
Why did Cornell impose expulsions and suspensions while criminal prosecutors hesitated, and what does that gap reveal about justice on campus?