Megyn Kelly Proposes Renaming 'Cornell Seven' to 'Cornell Eight'

Megyn Kelly has suggested that the group of former Cornell University fraternity brothers accused of rape should be referred to as the 'Cornell Eight' instead of the 'Cornell Seven.' This proposal comes after one of the accused men, Matthew Ingalls, claimed that the woman who filed the civil lawsuit against them sexually assaulted him.

The initial lawsuit, filed last month by a former student identified as Jane Doe, alleged that she was gang-raped at the Chi Phi fraternity house on October 19, 2024. Kelly argued on her podcast that if intoxication and non-consensual sexual acts are the criteria, Jane Doe could also be considered an assailant.

According to Kelly, Ingalls, in communications with campus police, accused Jane Doe of being a 'sexual molester, a harasser and assaulter.' Ingalls stated during the university's Title IX investigation that Jane Doe performed oral sex on him while he was incapacitated due to alcohol and drugs. He claimed that Jane Doe was aware he was struggling to stay conscious and continued sexual acts.

Ingalls, who had invited Jane Doe to the fraternity house that night, reportedly texted his fraternity group chat during the alleged assault. Jane Doe's lawsuit claims Ingalls posted a photo of her to the group chat with the message, 'Boys come whip it out.' Another allegation from the lawsuit states that a message was posted to an active-members Snapchat group referring to Jane Doe as 'free p***y.'

Jane Doe's lawsuit states that she became incapacitated after consuming alcoholic beverages and ketamine, and that seven men participated in sexual intercourse over several hours. She reported the incident to Cornell University Police on November 8, 2024.

Ingalls, however, maintains he was the one who was sexually assaulted, arguing he was too intoxicated to consent. In an email to Cornell's Title IX investigator in February 2025, Ingalls accused the school of 'entrapment' and suggested he would file his own complaint against Jane Doe, questioning why he was not alerted to his rights as a survivor.

During the investigation, campus police obtained a recording of a phone call where Ingalls insisted Jane Doe told him she was sober. Jane Doe countered, telling Ingalls he knew she had consumed significant alcohol, and that what occurred would be classified as gang rape.

Following the allegations, Cornell University expelled Ingalls and Jonathan Newell, who allegedly engaged in a threesome with Jane Doe and Ingalls and struck the victim. Winston Lee and Gillio Lopes were suspended and have since re-enrolled, while Diego Sarabia was banned from campus. Scott Norris and Scott Kretzschmar were found not responsible for sexual activity and received no disciplinary actions.

All defendants have denied wrongdoing. The Tompkins County District Attorney's office initially concluded there was insufficient evidence to pursue charges, but the case has since been reopened. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor. Cornell University has also hired former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review the school's handling of the case and its sexual assault policies.