Hochul defends appointment as an independent investigation
Kathy HochulGovernor of New York
Hochul defends appointing James, saying it will provide an independent investigation after concerns about the campus police and district attorney's handling.
Responding to
Appointing Attorney General Letitia James will ensure an independent investigation of the Cornell allegations without conflict or bias.
“This action will ensure that the matter is fully and thoroughly investigated without conflict or bias”
Official statement
Official statement
Where this statement fits
Was Kathy Hochul right to appoint Letitia James as special prosecutor in the Cornell case?
Governor Kathy Hochul appoints Attorney General Letitia James to investigate the alleged October 2024 sexual assault at Cornell and pursue prosecution if warranted. Hochul says an independent investigation is needed after questions about the campus police and local district attorney's handling. John Ziegler denounces the appointment, while Benjamin Ryan questions whether James's earlier public statement compromises her impartiality.
Source and context
Official statement
About this source
Hochul cites concerns about the Cornell Police Department investigation and the district attorney's decision not to prosecute. She argues that appointing James will provide an independent investigation.
Official statement
About this source
Hochul appoints the attorney general to investigate the alleged October 19-20, 2024 sexual assault in Tompkins County and, if warranted, pursue prosecution. The order transfers the covered criminal matters from the district attorney to the special prosecutor.
Before the quotation
Hochul says newly released information raises serious questions about the earlier investigation and decision not to prosecute.
After the quotation
She assigns James the investigation, prosecution if warranted and presentation of evidence to a grand jury.
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
She argues that the appointment is justified and will provide the independence the investigation needs.
- Recorded on
- Published here
- People and groups discussed
- Letitia James
More from this case
Read the full caseAndrea Weiss supports Hochul's appointment of James
“Governor Hochul did the right thing by appointing AG James to investigate Cornell.”Read statement
Richard Parker objects to James's appointment
“FVCK ME! Kathy Hochul just named Letitia James as special prosecutor in the Cornell rape allegation scandal. Unbelievable!”Read statement
Ricky Davila welcomes James's appointment
“Hell yes, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor”Read statement
Cite this record
- Publisher
- The Dispute Index
- Title
- Hochul defends appointment as an independent investigation
- First published
- Last updated
- Permalink
- https://disputeindex.com/events/4395-hochul-defends-appointing-james-saying-it-will-provide
Last updated marks the most recent saved version of this published statement.
The Dispute Index. "Hochul defends appointment as an independent investigation". First published: 2026-10-02. Last updated: 2026-10-02. https://disputeindex.com/events/4395-hochul-defends-appointing-james-saying-it-will-provide