Defence lawyer in Cornell University case calls for special prosecutor to be removed

Notably, a lawyer for one of the seven men accused of participating in a Cornell University gang rape has pressed the special prosecutor on the case to recuse herself over past public comments.

Key points

• The lawyer had remarked a social post from New York Attorney General Letitia James throws into question her investigation's "integrity and independence".
• Governor Hochul and James were questioned regarding impartiality worries during a news conference, and Hochul noted James would "follow the facts".
• "This is not an accusation that Attorney General James is corrupt, acting in bad faith or incapable of performing her duties professionally, " the statement remarked.
• Days before she was appointed special prosecutor, James wrote on X: What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable.
• As reports indicate, the university's Faculty Senate, a governing body comprised of professors and other academic staff, will vote on a resolution of no confidence next week.

Meanwhile, the lawyer had remarked a social post from New York Attorney General Letitia James throws into question her investigation's "integrity and independence".

In the 28 September post, James wrote that "what this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable" and informed survivors that "we stand with you".

For context, the university's administration is under fire over its alleged mishandling of the October 2024 incident and, according to US media, now faces a no-confidence vote by Cornell faculty.

In practice, a majority no-confidence vote would be a largely symbolic gesture, signalling the broader faculty's discontent and applying pressure on university leadership to act. The BBC has reached out to Cornell University for comment.

Allegations created in a lawsuit against seven men and the university have rocked the campus in New York state, with hundreds of students and faculty members gathering there on Monday in protest, and sparked anger nationwide.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week appointed James as a special prosecutor to investigate the case and how law enforcement and the university initially responded to the allegations created by a woman identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe.

After she was allegedly drugged and raped by the men for a number of hours at a fraternity party, jane Doe has accused the university of failing to protect her.

"I'm holding her in my heart and in my prayers, " she continued. "To her, and to all survivors: you're not alone. We stand with you."

For context, the lawyer for one of the seven accused remarked these remarks were disqualifying.

In an official note sent to the BBC's US media partner, CBS News, the lawyer remarked her comments conflict with the need for "independently evaluating the evidence".

"Nor am I suggesting that a court has determined that she is legally disqualified. The point is much narrower: an avoidable question now hangs over this investigation, and voluntary recusal would remove it."

"She'll examine the evidence and go wherever it leads, and if the evidence supports charges, she will pursue them, " Hochul remarked.

Taken together, the developments around defence lawyer in Cornell University case calls for special prosecutor to be point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.