In a move that could reshape the Cornell University rape investigation, a lawyer representing one of the seven defendants has demanded that New York Attorney General Letitia James step aside.
James, appointed by Governor Kathy Hochul as the special prosecutor last month, had previously expressed strong support for the alleged survivor on the social‑media platform X.
She explained that the young woman’s experience was horrific and unacceptable, adding that she stands with her and all survivors.
The lawyer argued that James’s public remarks raise an avoidable question about the neutrality of the investigation and called for her voluntary recusal to protect its integrity.
Both James and Hochul have confirmed that the prosecutor will base her decisions on facts and follow the evidence wherever it leads.
Meanwhile, the Canon faculty senate is set to vote on a no‑confidence resolution next week, a symbolic gesture that signals deep unrest among Cornell faculty and adds pressure on campus leaders.
Students and faculty across the campus have gathered in large numbers, demonstrating against the university’s handling of the incident and demanding accountability.
