Netflix on October 29 released a brief documentary on the Cornell University gang rape case, coinciding with increasing scrutiny of the school’s administrators regarding their response to Jane Doe’s allegations from 2024.
On October 29, the Cornell Faculty Senate commenced voting on a symbolic no confidence resolution directed at university administrators, while the American Association of University Professors chapter at the institution officially urged the president to step down. In early October, New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed James, despite the attorney’s previous public endorsement of Jane Doe in her lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in 2024. Two lawyers defending clients accused of sexual assault at Cornell University are requesting the dismissal of New York Attorney General Letitia James from her position as the special prosecutor overseeing the investigation into these allegations.
The documentary comes at a time when several faculty members are seeking the removal of Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff and other officials, claiming that their response to the “persistent issue of sexual assault” on campus has been insufficient. “We got here because people were not satisfied with the investigation done by Cornell and the results of that,” Miltenberg, the defendant Gillio Lopes, reportedly told the judge.
James did not attend the hearing.
Assistant Attorney General Kaitlin Vigars informed the judge that James’ public opinion does not constitute a conflict of interest or an “impediment” to the investigation, emphasizing that a prosecutor “has a duty of fair dealing to the accused,” according to CNN.
