Cornell 7 Accuser Maintains Anonymity in Civil Lawsuit
A New York judge grants anonymity to the accuser in the Cornell 7 gang-rape case, citing threats and harassment.
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A New York judge has ruled that the woman known as ‘Jane Doe’ in the high-profile ‘Cornell 7’ gang-rape civil lawsuit can maintain her anonymity while pursuing her claims. The decision, handed down by Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond, was made due to the notoriety of the allegations and reports of harassment and threats against those connected to the case.
Judge Cites Threats and Harassment
Phaedra Perry-Bond, a Democrat elected to the New York Supreme Court in 2023, cited the high-profile nature of the allegations and the widespread reports of malicious behavior by certain individuals as reasons for granting Doe anonymity. The judge warned that cyberstalking and threats against those involved in the case could be considered federal crimes.
Defendant’s Gag-Order Rejected
Notably, the judge recently rejected a gag-order request from one of the seven defendants, Diego Sarabia. The defendant’s attorney had argued that public statements about the case could prejudice potential jurors and lead to threats and harassment. Perry-Bond called the request a ‘side show’ and urged attorneys to cooperate in shielding their clients from threats.
Accusations and Legal Proceedings
Doe, who was 20 years old at the time of the alleged incident, has accused seven Cornell University Chi Phi fraternity brothers of being involved in her alleged drugging and gang rape in October 2024. All seven men have denied wrongdoing, with some claiming she was the aggressor and that she did not obtain their consent. One of the men, Matthew Ingalls, told a Cornell Title IX investigator that Doe sexually assaulted him while he was too incapacitated to consent.
Case Moves to New Venue
Doe filed her civil suit in Manhattan, where her attorney says she was living at the time. According to her attorney, she had moved to New York City earlier this year to pursue a career in the hotel industry but returned to her parents’ home after the lawsuit drew national attention and threats. Moonies Bar & Nightclub, an Ithaca bar also named as a defendant, is seeking to move the case to Tompkins County, where Cornell’s campus and the alleged incident are located. A judge has not yet ruled on the venue dispute.
No Criminal Charges Filed
No criminal charges have been filed against the accused men, although the criminal investigation has since been reopened. The case continues to draw significant attention and legal scrutiny as the parties navigate the complexities of the lawsuit.
Source: Daily Wire
