A New York Supreme Court judge has granted a rape accuser’s request to remain anonymous as ‘Jane Doe’ in her civil lawsuit against Cornell fraternity members, citing fears of retribution, retaliation, and significant emotional distress, including anxiety, depression, and insomnia. Justice Phaedra Perry-Bond emphasized that the accuser’s privacy interests, particularly given the case’s notoriety and documented attempts to threaten and harass individuals involved, outweigh the general presumption of public court proceedings. In a striking warning, the judge explicitly cautioned that any attempts to harass or threaten Jane Doe, the defendants, or legal counsel could result in federal criminal charges. This ruling allows the case to proceed while preserving public access to the proceedings, avoiding more drastic measures like sealing court records. While Jane Doe will remain anonymous, the individually named defendants will be identified, though protections for their sensitive personal information are also being considered. The lawsuit, filed in September, alleges Doe was drugged and raped by seven former Chi Phi fraternity members in October 2024, claims the fraternity and university are also named, and details Doe’s alleged intoxication and subsequent pressure to consume ketamine and other substances at the fraternity house. The fraternity was suspended shortly after Doe reported the allegations to campus police. The case has seen further complications with the local prosecutor initially declining criminal charges, then reopening the investigation after discrepancies between Doe’s initial sworn statement and later police interviews where she confidently stated she was raped, leading to the New York Governor appointing the State Attorney General as special prosecutor, a move that itself faces challenges from defendants citing alleged bias.
Adapted from: U.S. News Today on Fox News
