Matthew Van Houten

“It's our intention to present the case to the Tompkins County grand jury with Jane Doe's cooperation,”

Matthew Van Houten · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-28

Van Houten told ABC News that his office intends to present the reopened Cornell fraternity case to a grand jury.

“She never says that she was drugged without her knowledge. She admits to taking drugs and alcohol voluntarily and with knowledge. She does not allege that she was forced to engage in any acts. She does not say that she was physically helpless or unconscious or incapacitated at any point during the time at the fraternity house,”

Matthew Van Houten · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-28

Van Houten described why his office declined to bring charges in 2024, citing the woman's initial statement to police.

“We want to reexamine whether there's additional evidence that we were not aware of in November of 2024, that exists now that would change our assessment of the case and would result in the grand jury finding that there was criminal conduct.”

Matthew Van Houten · said date not stated · reported 2026-09-28

Van Houten explained that prosecutors want to determine if new evidence exists that could lead a grand jury to find criminal conduct.