Cornell Accuser Told Police 'With 100% Confidence I Was Raped,' Transcript Reveals
Newly revealed police interview transcripts appear to contradict the district attorney's claim that the accuser never explicitly stated she was raped, potentially impacting the prosecution of seven fraternity brothers.
A Cornell University student who accused seven fraternity brothers of sexual assault told campus police, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped," according to a transcript of a November 2024 interview obtained by CBS News.
The woman, identified as Jane Doe, described a night of partying at the Chi Phi fraternity house that began with consensual sexual activity but devolved into her becoming "completely and totally incapacitated" and subsequently gang-raped.
During the two-day interview, Doe stated that while she was "super drunk" when she arrived, she was initially "pretty OK with all of this." However, as she was offered more drugs and alcohol, a threesome she had begun consensually allegedly turned into multiple fraternity members entering the room to have sex with her.
"And then, of course, I was being hit at the same time," Doe told police. "Physically hit very, very hard."
When questioned by police about whether her responses to the fraternity brothers were explicit refusals or expressions of fatigue, Doe stated, "I think it’s, ‘I’m tired.'" When asked if she allowed them to have sex with her due to exhaustion from fending them off, she responded, "Yes. It was coercion."
Doe also indicated that she did not remember the specific moments of the alleged assault and was unsure how many individuals had sex with her while she was incapacitated. She reiterated, "I can say with 100% confidence I was raped," and added, "I’m very confident about this" at the conclusion of the interview.
This transcript contrasts with a separate written statement Doe provided to Cornell University Police, obtained by ABC News, in which she stated the night "felt like coercion" but did not explicitly use the word "raped." The newly revealed transcript also appears to challenge Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten, who had previously stated that Doe never explicitly accused the seven men of any crimes. Van Houten said his decision not to bring criminal charges at the time was based on the sworn statement and that he had not received the transcript. His office has since reopened an investigation into the alleged attack.
Cornell University Police stated that "all investigatory information" from Doe's case had been shared with the DA's office in 2024, but did not confirm whether the transcript was included.
The case resurfaced following a lawsuit filed by Doe on September 18, alleging that fraternity members provided her with alcohol and ketamine. The lawsuit claims that after a consensual encounter with one member, others entered the room, and messages in a fraternity Snapchat group chat, including phrases like "free p–sy" and "shop still open," were sent.
Cornell University previously stated that the fraternity brothers involved faced disciplinary actions, including suspensions and expulsions, and described suggestions that their only punishment was writing an essay as "irresponsible."