Brief
Jake Tapper confronts Cornell DA over alleged gang‑rape case
Tapper pressed the DA on why no charges were filed for two years after a student sued over a 2024 assault.
By Felo News Desk · Published
CNN host Jake Tapper challenged Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten on Monday’s show The Lead, asking why his office had not filed criminal charges for two years after a former Cornell student filed a lawsuit alleging she was drugged and gang‑raped by seven Chi Phi fraternity members in October 2024.
Tapper cited the plaintiff’s statement that she was “5 out of 10” drunk early in the night and “8 out of 10” later, and that she had taken ketamine multiple times. He asked Van Houten, “Do you not acknowledge that your office dropped the ball by not looking more into what happened?”
Van Houten replied that his duty is to apply New York State penal law, noting that consent under state law requires physical compulsion, helplessness, or mental incapacity, which he said were not articulated in the plaintiff’s initial statement.
Key facts
- Jake Tapper questioned Tompkins County DA Matthew Van Houten about the handling of a lawsuit alleging a 2024 Cornell frat gang‑rape. (independent.co.uk)
- The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, alleged she was drugged with ketamine and assaulted by seven Chi Phi members in October 2024. (independent.co.uk)
- Van Houten said his office is bound by New York State law on consent, which he says was not met in the plaintiff’s statement. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “CNN’s Jake Tapper grills DA over handling of Cornell gang rape allegations”
