Texts released in reopened Cornell gang-rape investigation

Text messages reportedly exchanged between a defendant in the Cornell University gang-rape case and the woman who says she was assaulted have been published by CBS News, a day after New York prosecutors announced they were reopening a criminal investigation, according to a report by The Guardian.

The texts reportedly include a message from an unnamed male defendant that appears to apologize, and were said to have been sent within days of the alleged assault in October 2024. The woman, a Cornell student, has said she was drugged and repeatedly raped over roughly seven hours by multiple men at a campus fraternity house, after her presence was allegedly flagged to the group on the social media platform Snapchat.

The case drew significant attention when the allegations first surfaced, given the details of the alleged assault and the number of people said to have been involved. Despite the seriousness of the claims, the initial investigation did not result in criminal charges, a outcome that was met with criticism from the accuser's supporters and advocates for survivors of sexual assault.

New York prosecutors' decision to reopen the investigation follows the emergence of the newly reported text messages, which may provide additional evidence for authorities to review. It remains unclear what specific new information prompted the reopening or what the investigation's next steps will involve.

Cornell University has faced scrutiny over its handling of the case and its broader response to allegations of sexual assault on campus. The reopened investigation is likely to keep the case in the public eye as prosecutors reassess the available evidence.