Tompkins County District Attorney Michael Figueredo announced that the office is reopening its investigation into a rape allegation that took place inside a Cornell University fraternity house, nearly two years after the victim first reported the assault to police.
The woman told authorities that she was assaulted by seven men in the fraternity residence in 2022. At that time, the district attorney’s office declined to bring criminal charges, citing insufficient evidence to meet the burden of proof required for prosecution.
According to the DA’s office, new information or a reassessment of the existing evidence has prompted the decision to revisit the case. The investigation will again be examined under current legal standards, and any additional evidence will be evaluated for potential criminal liability.
Cornell University, an Ivy League institution located in Ithaca, New York, has faced heightened scrutiny over fraternity-related misconduct in recent years. The reopening of this case adds to ongoing discussions about campus safety and the handling of sexual assault allegations within Greek life.
The development was reported by CBS News correspondent Lilia Luciano, who noted that the district attorney’s office has not yet indicated whether new charges will be filed.
<small>Source: CBS News — read the original story there.</small>