In a disturbing allegation, a Cornell University fraternity brother has been accused of participating in a gang rape after questioning the recollection of the alleged victim in a recorded phone call. The woman, referred to in court documents as Jane Doe, filed a lawsuit against seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity and the university itself on 16 September, claiming that she was drugged and raped in October 2024 while incapacitated.
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In a conversation captured on audio, Matthew Ingalls, one of the defendants, appeared to express uncertainty about the alleged event. “You know it’s possible that both of us, like, remember this and it’s not true,” Ingalls reportedly said during the call. This exchange raises significant concerns regarding the treatment of survivors of sexual assault and how their experiences are sometimes disputed.
According to the civil complaint submitted to the New York Supreme Court, Doe reported that she was forced to ingest ketamine, which rendered her unable to resist over a prolonged period. The lawsuit alleges that this incident occurred during a fraternity party when she was a 20-year-old student at Cornell. Doe’s confrontation with Ingalls took place a day before she contacted campus police about the incident in November 2024.
During their conversation, Doe told Ingalls that what had transpired amounted to gang rape. She noted the physical and mental trauma inflicted upon her, stating, “What y’all did would be classified as gang rape… I was 10 shots deep.” Ingalls, however, contested her account by asserting that Doe had claimed to be sober at the time.
The phone call further revealed conflicting memories. Doe confronted Ingalls about the presence of other men in the room, to which he responded that it was a busy party, stating, “The party was sort of crowded, so people started, like, um, filling up the balcony just because there was nowhere else to go.” This inconsistency highlights the complexities of recollection surrounding traumatic events.
In the formal complaint, Doe mentioned that one of the defendants had allegedly sent a message to a Snapchat group chat titled “Chi Phi Actives,” which suggested there was “free p—- upstairs.” This message reportedly prompted Ingalls to add, “Like you can walk in and whip it out,” further demonstrating a disregard for consent.
Cornell University released a statement indicating that it had carried out an extensive investigation into the allegations, resulting in various sanctions against the accused students, including temporary suspensions and expulsions. However, according to Doe’s attorney, Thomas Giuffra, only two of the seven fraternity members faced expulsion, while others received lighter penalties, which included assignments like writing essays. The university has strongly countered claims that it failed to impose sufficient consequences for those involved.
In response to the lawsuit, all seven defendants have categorically denied the allegations against them. During Cornell’s independent investigation, it was reported that Ingalls claimed he was also too intoxicated to provide consent, further complicating the narrative.
Following the filing of Doe’s lawsuit, Tompkins County District Attorney Matthew Van Houten indicated he would be reopening the criminal investigation into the accusations. The situation escalated when New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James to take over as special prosecutor for the case, citing concerns over the local investigation’s integrity.
Governor Hochul asserted the importance of a thorough and unbiased investigation, stating, “The young woman at the center of this case deserves to know that every fact will be examined and justice pursued.” This development reflects an ongoing commitment by some governmental figures to ensure that sexual assault allegations are treated with the seriousness they warrant.
A recent survey conducted by Cornell indicated that 35% of undergraduate women reported experiencing non-consensual sexual contact, an increase from 23% in the previous year, highlighting the pressing need to address issues surrounding campus safety and sexual violence.
For those impacted by sexual assault, resources are available through national helplines. It is crucial for survivors to feel safe and supported in reporting incidents of violence, as dialogue and awareness surrounding these matters continue to evolve.