Hochul, who appointed the state's attorney general, Letitia James, as special prosecutor in the case, criticized how the alleged assault was handled by the school and promised a thorough investigation

Kathy Hochul briefs journalists with state attorney general Letitia James, who will be taking over the entire case

• Letitia James appointed special prosecutor in alleged gang-rape at Cornell

Kathy Hochul, New York’s governor, said on Friday that she would “ensure” that all the facts of the alleged gang-rape at a fraternity house at Cornell University “are brought into the light”, while harshly criticizing the elite institution for how it handled the 2024 case.

Hochul, a Democrat, said the woman in the case, was “failed” by people obligated to protect her, including the police and the county prosecutor.