Texts about alleged Cornell gang-rape released after investigation reopened
Texts, including unnamed male defendant appearing to apologize, reportedly sent days after alleged 2024 assault
TL;DR
- Text messages reportedly exchanged by a defendant in the Cornell University gang-rape case were published by CBS News.
- Prosecutors have reopened a criminal investigation into the alleged October 2024 assault at a campus fraternity house.
- One text message shows an unnamed male defendant apologizing to the woman for "how things went down" and admitting his memory was "kinda fuzzy."
- The woman, who has since left Cornell, stated in reply that her memory was "super clouded too" and that "non[e] of the sexual stuff was illegal."
- A civil lawsuit filed by the woman alleges seven men assaulted her at Cornell's Chi Phi fraternity house.
- Two alleged perpetrators were expelled by Cornell, while others faced lesser consequences.
- The Tompkins county district attorney reopened the investigation due to "dramatically different" allegations.
- Snapchat messages allegedly sent by Chi Phi members on the night of the assault included phrases like "free pussy upstairs."
- The woman's attorney confirmed texts were exchanged but could not verify authenticity.
- The woman's statement to Cornell police admitted initial willingness to have sex with two members before others joined, alleging she was drugged and could not escape.