Jonathan Newell’s Expulsion Raises Questions

Jonathan Newell, a former Cornell University student who is named in a lawsuit lodged by Jane Doe alleging gang rape, has recently been dismissed from Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, seemingly without any due process.

Newell is among seven ex-Cornell students and members of the Chi Phi fraternity implicated in a civil lawsuit. This lawsuit claims they gang raped Jane Doe, who was 20 at the time, in the early hours of October 20, 2024.

According to reports from the Daily Mail, Newell was one of two fraternity brothers expelled as a result of the incident. He has been described as the person who sent a Snapchat that night referring to “free pussy” to others in the frat. The seven accused individuals contend that what occurred was consensual, while Jane Doe asserts it was a gang rape. They suggest it was more of a four-hour gathering involving consenting parties.

The civil case is still pending.

No criminal charges have been filed against the seven men involved.

There is also evidence suggesting that Jane Doe participated willingly in the events of that night. Documentation includes underage drinking and drug use, as well as text messages from her weeks later wherein she allegedly expressed her consent to the group activity and indicated she wanted to meet up with one of the men and attend a Chi Phi Halloween party.

Additionally, after Jane Doe reported the incident to the campus police, the local Democratic district attorney remarked that her statements indicated everything was consensual.

Fast forward two years, and Jane Doe has changed her narrative, claiming she was gang-raped. She is now suing not only the seven fraternity members but also Cornell University, a local bar, and her sorority for allegedly permitting her to drink while underage.

As for Mr. Newell, after his expulsion from Cornell, he enrolled at Nova Southeastern University, and has now been asked to leave that institution as well.

NSU President Harry Moon stated, “We are all concerned about reports of serious allegations of sexual abuse that occurred approximately two years ago at another university and may involve a student who later transferred to NSU. NSU takes these allegations seriously. The safety and well-being of each member of our campus community is a top priority.” Moon also mentioned that the university acted promptly after learning about the incident in the interest of student safety.

I bring up the fact that Newell is black because it highlights a troubling situation: here is a black man facing severe consequences as if he’s a guilty predator, despite his claims of innocence, a lack of any criminal charges, and the fact that he had already faced repercussions for his actions by being expelled before.

It raises the question—will there be any outcry against this perceived injustice? Particularly given the painful history of African Americans being wrongfully accused and persecuted in the past. It makes one wonder where movements like Black Lives Matter or figures like Al Sharpton stand in situations like this.

While I have consistently stated that if you believe the claims of the Cornell 7, their conduct that night was utterly reprehensible, and they deserved what penalties they faced, I maintain that Newell has already been punished and that ongoing repercussions without due process are simply unfair and un-American.

Of course, I’m open to reevaluating my stance as new details emerge. For now, however, it seems like Jane Doe might be transforming regret into a narrative of victimhood and seeking financial compensation.