ision follows growing scrutiny over how law enforcement handled the initial inquiry into the alleged October 2024 assault, per the AP. She cited serious concerns with both the campus police department's gathering of evidence and Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten's subsequent choice not to file charges.

Van Houten defended his office's actions Tuesday in several media interviews, arguing that while the male students involved did things that were  morally wrong,  the woman's initial account to police didn't include allegations that she was drugged, incapacitated beyond the ability to consent or forced into sex. He also defended his office's decision not to conduct an additional investigation after the woman initially spoke to police in 2024.

What they're saying:

In issuing the order, the governor stated,  newly released information continues to raise serious questions about the investigation conducted by the Cornell Police Department and the decision by the Tompkins County District Attorney not to prosecute an alleged sexual assault on Cornell University's campus in October 2024. 



Featured article

 This has, in turn, undercut my faith, and the public's faith, in the District Attorney's ability to effectively investigate and prosecute the case at this time,  she said.

In responding to the appointment, New York Attorney General Letitia James said in a statement of her own that  every New Yorker deserves to know that when they report a crime, it will be investigated fully and fairly. 

 The governor has entrusted my office with this investigation, and we do not take that responsibility lightly,  she added.