Trump’s ‘fair shake’ comment on Cornell rape case slammed by victim’s lawyer
Jane Done’s attorney condemned Donald Trump’s claim that the accused will not receive a “fair shake,” calling it a politicization of the assault case.
Attorney Thomas Giuffra, who represents Jane Done—a 20-year-old former Cornell student alleging she was drugged and gang-raped by fraternity members—denounced Donald Trump’s claim that the suspects would not get a “fair shake” because New York Attorney General Letitia James is overseeing the case. Giuffra said the president’s comment politicizes the assault and ignores that victims of all political backgrounds suffer. He criticized the Ivy League’s early investigation for failing to subpoena phone records and possibly destroying evidence, and he believes more than the seven men listed in the lawsuit were involved.
Giuffra cited a Snapchat group message that included graphic images of the assault and suggested additional photos and videos may be hidden at the bottom of Lake Cayuga. The case was revived by Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten after new evidence, despite Governor Kathy Hochul’s doubts about his handling of the original report.
Why it matters
The clash underscores concerns about political influence in a high-profile university sexual-assault investigation.
How this story developed
- Sep 25 Student thought to be Korean named among defendants in Cornell sexual assault lawsuit
- Sep 28 Cornell confirmed the Chi Phi fraternity chapter remains barred from operating on campus.
- Sep 29 DA released excerpts of the survivor’s police statement and senior prosecutor began preparing the case for a grand jury.
- Oct 1 Cornell has agreed to bring in an outside firm to investigate allegations of a gang rape on campus.
- Oct 1 Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff approved an independent third‑party investigation into the university’s handling of the 2024 fraternity assault allegations.
- Oct 2 Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit alleging assault by former fraternity members.
- Oct 2 State officials have stepped in to review the university’s handling of the allegations.
- Oct 3 Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor in the reopened investigation.
- Oct 4 Governor Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor and Cornell announced an independent external review of its handling of the allegations.
- Oct 4 President Michael Kotlikoff issued a video statement pledging greater transparency and acknowledging the need for better prevention measures.
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