New details have emerged in the Cornell University alleged gang rape case. These developments follow an announcement by the Tompkins County district attorney about reopening the criminal investigation. The decision comes after discrepancies between the victim’s original statement and the allegations in a lawsuit.
Video Evidence from Fraternity Snapchat
CBS News New York has accessed new video material from a fraternity’s group Snapchat conversation. The footage originates from the night a former Cornell student claimed she was drugged and sexually assaulted at the Chi Phi fraternity house. At 1:42 a.m. on the night of the alleged assault, a message was sent to the group suggesting a woman was available for sex. “Shop still open?” one member wrote. The reply was, “Yea.”
Thomas Giuffra, the attorney for the victim referred to as Jane Doe, expressed dissatisfaction with the investigation process. “Not one of these guys was arrested. Not one. That I can tell you for a fact,” he stated in a recent interview.
Defense for Scott Kretzschmar
Scott Kretzschmar, one of the seven men named in the lawsuit, is defended by attorney Jeremy Saland. Although the complaint accuses all seven of sexual misconduct, it specifically alleges Kretzschmar poured ketamine on Jane Doe and snorted it. Saland strongly denied these claims. “Absolutely not … what you need to do is look at the demonstrable, objective evidence, which is a hair follicle test showing no, he had no ketamine in his system,” he explained. CBS News New York has not independently verified this test.
Saland noted that Kretzschmar saw the Snapchat messages, went into the room briefly, and then left. “She was not undressed,” Saland remarked. “He didn’t see her under duress. She wasn’t having a hard time articulating any things.”
Case Reopened by District Attorney
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten has decided to reopen the case, pointing out differences in the victim’s sworn statement from November 2024. He stated Jane Doe did not claim she was drugged against her will or gang raped, adding that she described her drug use and sexual activities as voluntary and consensual.
Giuffra emphasized Doe’s trauma and the discrepancies in evidence consideration. “She’s barely hanging on for what these guys did to her,” Giuffra mentioned. A senior prosecutor specializing in sex crimes is preparing the case for a grand jury, allowing for Doe’s testimony and potential new evidence.
Saland expressed confidence in the proceedings. “We welcome the opportunity and are confident, overwhelmingly so, it will resolve in the same way it already did previously, with no charges,” he said.
Cornell University voiced support for the DA’s decision, noting its Title IX investigation led to sanctions. Andrew Miltenberg, representing another defendant Gillio Lopes, conveyed strong denials of the allegations against his client. “The allegations now being made publicly differ from what was reported and investigated during that process. Mr. Lopes should be judged on the evidence, not prejudged,” he stated.