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New York Attorney General Letitia James has appointed former federal prosecutor Jacqueline Kelly to lead the investigation into a 2024 sexual assault case at Cornell University. Kelly, a Cornell graduate, previously oversaw the criminal case against Sean "Diddy" Combs and is now a partner at a law firm that represented women who accused Jeffrey Epstein of sexual abuse, as reported by The Guardian.
James expressed confidence in Kelly's ability to conduct "a fair and comprehensive investigation," citing her extensive experience in criminal law. Kelly, who was the first chief of the civil rights unit in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York, will report directly to James's office. Kelly stated, "All New Yorkers deserve a fair and thorough inquiry into the facts of this case," according to NBC News.
The case involves allegations by a former Cornell student, known as Jane Doe, who claims she was raped by seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024. The incident was initially reported to the university and campus police, but the Tompkins County District Attorney, Matthew Van Houten, declined to bring charges, citing insufficient evidence. This decision led to public backlash and a civil lawsuit filed by Doe, as detailed by CNN.
Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James as a special prosecutor after expressing a lack of confidence in Van Houten's handling of the case. Kelly's appointment is part of an effort to ensure a thorough investigation, with the possibility of presenting evidence to a grand jury if warranted.
The investigation has faced legal challenges, with lawyers for the accused seeking to disqualify James due to perceived bias from her social media comments supporting Doe. However, James maintains her commitment to a fact-based investigation, and Kelly's appointment has been welcomed by Doe's attorney, Thomas Giuffra, who expects a comprehensive review of the case.