Cornell Fraternity Brother Accused of Rape Was Designated 'Sober Monitor' at Party
University documents indicate that Jonathan Newell was responsible for ensuring safety at the event where Jane Doe alleges she was sexually assaulted.
One of the fraternity members involved in an alleged gang rape at Cornell University was officially designated as a "sober monitor" for the party where the incident occurred, according to university documents. Jonathan Newell was listed as a "trained event monitor" for a party hosted by the Chi Phi fraternity on October 19, 2024.
As a sober monitor, Newell was tasked with remaining abstinent from alcohol while overseeing the event for issues such as underage drinking, overcrowding, and general safety. The party was scheduled to run from 10:30 p.m. to midnight.
However, by 1:45 a.m., Jane Doe alleged that Newell and another Chi Phi brother engaged in a threesome involving ketamine, during which she was unable to consent due to intoxication. Doe further claims that other fraternity members entered the room to engage in sexual activity with her without her consent.
Newell reportedly admitted to investigators that he did not fulfill his sober monitor duties. He stated he did not arrive at the Chi Phi house until midnight and had been consuming alcohol at other parties beforehand. It remains unclear if Newell was aware of his designated role for the Chi Phi event, as the fraternity's risk management officer told investigators that Newell frequently made errors on party permits.
Doe herself was also listed as a sober monitor for a separate party her sorority was hosting at a downtown Ithaca bar the same night. She stated she consumed alcohol at her sorority event before heading to the bar and subsequently to the Chi Phi party.
Following Doe's accusation of rape, Cornell investigators expelled Newell and the other brother involved in the alleged threesome. Other accused brothers faced suspension or were assigned essays on sexual harassment.
Prosecutors initially declined to press charges, citing Doe's admission of willingly consuming alcohol on the night of the alleged incident, which in New York law can render an individual responsible for their actions while intoxicated. Doe subsequently filed a lawsuit against the fraternity members in September, releasing text messages from a group chat that allegedly discussed "free p–sy" and invited others to participate in the encounter.
The district attorney's office has since reopened the criminal investigation. The accused fraternity members have denied Doe's allegations.