The district attorney overseeing the alleged Cornell gang rape case declined an opportunity to review further witness interviews during the initial investigation, according to records obtained by the New York Times.
Tompkins County District Attorney Matt Van Houten has previously said campus police provided him only with Jane Doe’s sworn statement and a screenshot of alleged Chi Phi Snapchat messages.
However, records indicate Cornell University Police Department investigator Jeffrey Northrop discussed additional interviews with Jeff Huddle, a member of the district attorney’s staff.
Northrop took notes during the meeting and said prosecutors indicated that “criminal charges would not be pursued in this case” based on Jane Doe’s statement.
The account appears to differ from Mr Van Houten’s earlier explanation for not pursuing charges. He had said he never received the full transcript of Jane Doe’s two-day interview from campus police.
Mr Van Houten had also said he would present evidence to a grand jury. The case has since been transferred after New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James to take it over.
Mr Van Houten was approached for comment but had not responded at the time of publication.
