Cornell University Student’s Controversial Text Messages Surface After Alleged Assault
A student from Cornell University, referred to as Jane Doe, defended her actions as part of “the gangbang” in text messages sent just two days following an alleged sexual assault, which she later classified as rape in a lawsuit, according to messages revealed on Wednesday.
The messages, acquired by TMZ, were shared on October 21, 2024, between Jane Doe and Jonathan Newell, one of the seven Chi Phi fraternity members named in her civil suit.
In the text exchange, Newell expressed his apologies, wishing that she wasn’t experiencing the same backlash he reportedly faced. “You’re an amazing person, and I genuinely hope you’re not catching as much heat from this as we are,” he wrote, adding they’ve been trying to suppress any rumors about the situation, but reiterating his regret.
Doe responded with gratitude and indicated that her memories of that night were vague. “My memories are super clouded too. I think we were all way too drunken and high,” she mentioned, indicating she had enjoyed being with Newell and another fraternity member, Matt, and insisted that the opinions of others about the incident were irrelevant.
She further stated that neither she nor Newell ought to “feel any shame for the part,” adding, “our body our choice asf.”
Additionally, Doe referenced a previous encounter with Newell and Matthew Ingalls, expressing her affection for both men and assuring Newell she wouldn’t become distant as she had in the past. Notably, Ingalls had previously disclosed to the university in February 2025 that Doe had sexually assaulted him while he was incapacitated.
The emergence of these messages coincides with Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten’s decision to present the case to a grand jury, almost two years after he opted not to file charges. Van Houten pointed out that Doe’s initial police report described the night quite differently from her lawsuit’s version.
“Jane Doe’s sworn statement in November of 2024 did not allege that she was drugged against her will or gang raped,” the district attorney remarked. “Instead, Jane Doe’s statement indicated her involvement in drug use and sexual activities was voluntary, conscious, and consensual.”
Doe’s civil suit, which spans 101 pages and was filed in September, claims that she was forcibly administered ketamine and sexually assaulted by seven fraternity members over several hours. Her legal representative, Thomas Giuffra, has stated Cornell’s internal disciplinary actions “did not reflect the severity of the charges.” Ingalls and Newell faced expulsion, while the remaining five received suspensions or lesser penalties. All seven individuals have denied any wrongdoing, and as of now, none have been criminally charged.
The reopening of this investigation is putting added pressure on the Ivy League institution, with critics viewing it as a critical examination of how elite colleges handle such serious allegations. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James to serve as a special prosecutor for the case. In response to the matter, Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff released an apology video, and the Chi Phi chapter remains prohibited from operating on campus.
