Cornell president acknowledges he knew about fraternity sexual assault but didn’t follow up

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has acknowledged he knew a student reported a sexual assault in November 2024 but did not follow up with her directly. He also stated he was unaware she had dropped out until she filed a lawsuit last month. The lawsuit accuses seven members of the Chi Phi fraternity of assault at a party. While the accused deny wrongdoing and no criminal charges have been filed, Cornell's internal investigation resulted in expulsions and suspensions for some students. The district attorney has reopened the investigation, and the New York governor appointed the state's attorney general as special prosecutor. In response to the allegations and mounting scrutiny, Cornell has suspended fraternity parties for the academic year and is enhancing its sexual assault investigation resources.

Emergency call records reveal confusion among Tennessee prison staff and emergency responders after the failed execution of Christa Pike on September 30th. Pike, convicted of murder in 1995, was administered two doses of lethal injection but did not die, necessitating her transfer to a hospital. The article suggests a disconnect between prison staff may have delayed her treatment. Pike's legal team theorizes the pentobarbital may have spread under her skin instead of entering her bloodstream. She has since been discharged from the hospital and returned to prison, facing a "long road to recovery." Pike is believed to be the first person to survive a lethal injection execution attempt.

The US military plans to livestream the firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, a former Army psychiatrist convicted of killing 13 soldiers at Fort Hood in 2009. This would be the Army's first firing squad execution since 1945. This decision comes amid rising concerns over botched lethal injections, such as the recent failed execution of Christa Pike. In response to these issues and renewed federal support for capital punishment, the US is exploring both new and older execution methods, including firing squads, the electric chair, and gas chambers. Lethal injection, while the most common method since 1982, has a history of complications and perceived inhumanity, leading officials to consider alternatives.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio has urged Catholic members of the US armed forces to refuse participation in the planned firing squad execution of Nidal Hasan, the Fort Hood attacker. Broglio stated that the military's intention to livestream the execution, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth as a deterrent, contradicts church teachings. Critics, including Cardinal Blase J. Cupich, have condemned the livestream plan as unethical and potentially harmful propaganda, fearing it could turn Hasan into a symbol for hostile groups. Pope Francis has also reiterated the Catholic Church's stance that the death penalty is inadmissible. President Trump, who approved Hasan's execution, is reportedly undecided on whether to proceed with the livestream.

Archbishop Timothy Broglio, who provides spiritual care for Catholics in the U.S. military, has condemned the Pentagon's plan to livestream the execution of Nidal Hasan. Hasan, convicted of killing 13 people at Fort Hood in 2009, is scheduled for execution by firing squad on December 3rd. Archbishop Broglio stated that Catholic soldiers assigned to the firing squad should request to be excused, as the duty conflicts with church teachings. He questioned the purpose of publicly exposing the execution and suggested that broadcasting it could damage the military's reputation. Broglio joins other Catholic leaders in opposing both the death penalty and the livestreaming of executions.

Pope Leo XIV has condemned the death penalty as "inadmissible," aligning with the Catholic Church's revised doctrine that emphasizes human dignity. This statement comes as the Pentagon plans to livestream the execution of Nidal Malik Hasan, convicted of the 2009 Fort Hood mass shooting. Hasan is scheduled to be executed by firing squad on December 3rd, marking the first such military execution since 1945. Vatican officials and U.S. bishops have also criticized the proposed livestream, calling it a spectacle and incompatible with human dignity. President Trump has not yet decided on the livestream plan, while Vice President Vance expressed skepticism and opposition to public executions.

Christa Pike, the only person to survive a lethal injection execution, is now recovering after a botched procedure in Tennessee. The execution, intended to administer a lethal dose of pentobarbital, failed when intravenous lines could not be established for over an hour, with the drug likely spilling into her tissue. This incident has intensified scrutiny on the flaws within the US capital punishment system, which has seen a resurgence in recent years, particularly under the Trump administration. Despite claims of deterrence, the US Justice Department has found no proof that the death penalty deters crime, and concerns persist about wrongful convictions and the execution of intellectually disabled individuals.

Cornell University President Michael Kotlikoff has expressed deep sorrow and pledged greater transparency following an alleged 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house. He described the situation as one of the most challenging periods in the university's history, raising concerns about sexual assault, party culture, and substance use. The alleged victim is suing Cornell and seven former students, claiming assault by members of the Chi Phi fraternity. New York Governor Kathy Hochul appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor after losing confidence in the local prosecutor's initial decision not to press charges. The case has also highlighted New York's "voluntary intoxication loophole" in sexual assault law.

Tennessee prisoner Christa Pike is awake and speaking after a failed execution attempt last Wednesday. Her lawyers confirmed her recovery. Following the incident, Tennessee's Commissioner of the Department of Correction, Frank Strada, will resign in late October. Governor Bill Lee announced Strada's departure amid an independent investigation into the botched execution. The article does not provide further details on the execution method or the reasons for its failure.

Death row inmate Christa Pike, 50, is conscious and speaking after a failed execution attempt in Tennessee. According to her lawyers, Pike is receiving critical medical care in a hospital while handcuffed. This marks the first known instance where a lethal injection toxin was administered to an inmate, and the execution process was completed without resulting in death. Authorities have not yet stated if they will attempt another execution or provided an explanation for the failure. The Tennessee Governor has suspended all executions for the remainder of the year, and the head of the state's prisons plans to resign. Pike was convicted of murder at age 18.

Christa Pike, 50, has regained consciousness and is able to speak nearly a week after a lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee on September 30. Her lawyers stated she is receiving medical care after being hospitalized following the botched procedure, which involved two doses of pentobarbital. Pike is believed to be the first person in the United States to survive such an injection. Her lawyers noted she suffered severe damage to her arms but is still handcuffed and shackled. Pike was convicted in 1996 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer when she was 18.

Christa Pike has been discharged from the hospital and returned to the Deborah K Johnson rehabilitation center, where she has been imprisoned for 30 years, following a botched lethal injection execution attempt on September 30th. Her lawyers stated she is continuing to receive medical care at the prison. Pike, 50, was hospitalized after surviving the execution and was briefly declared brain dead before showing signs of recovery. The reason for the failed execution remains unexplained, though experts speculate drug delivery issues or faulty medication. Pike was convicted in 1995 for the torture and murder of 18-year-old Colleen Slemmer. Her survival has drawn renewed criticism of the death penalty, leading Tennessee's governor to pause executions for the remainder of the year.

Christa Pike, convicted of murder in 1995, remains critically ill in a Nashville hospital after two failed execution attempts on Wednesday. Her lawyer, Stephen Ferrell, stated that doctors are working to clear two doses of pentobarbital from her body, and her prognosis is still unclear, potentially for several days. Pike, 50, has reportedly remained on a ventilator and unconscious. Authorities have not yet announced if they will attempt another execution or provided an explanation for the failed attempts. In response, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee suspended all executions for the remainder of the year, and the head of the state's prisons announced his resignation.

Death row inmate Christa Pike survived a botched lethal injection execution attempt in Tennessee on September 30, 2026. Lawyers stated Pike was nearly taken off life support after being declared brain dead, but she awoke on October 1, 2026, reportedly confused and unaware of the execution. Pike, convicted in 1996 for murder, had her execution delayed after receiving two doses of pentobarbital but remaining alive. Experts speculate the drug may have pooled in her arm tissue, causing swelling and blisters. The incident has led to a halt in other executions in Tennessee and the resignation of the state's top prison official, while legal teams plan to seek commutation of Pike's sentence based on her suffering.

A judge has ordered Tennessee officials to preserve all evidence from the botched execution attempt of Christa Pike, who remains hospitalized. The order mandates saving items from the execution room, including drugs and IV lines. Pike, who regained consciousness, is suffering from pneumonia, a blood clot, and injured arms, yet remains shackled to her hospital bed despite medical staff requests to remove restraints. Her lawyers argue that preserving this evidence is crucial for future legal challenges, as the state has not guaranteed she will not face another execution attempt. Pike was convicted of murder in 1995 and has been on death row for 30 years.

Christa Pike survived an attempted execution in Tennessee after executioners struggled to find a vein and administer lethal injection drugs, resulting in her arms swelling and blistering while she remained alive. This marks the first documented instance of a U.S. prisoner surviving two doses of lethal injection. The author, a death row reporter, argues that while Pike's survival was unprecedented, the execution's failures were not, citing issues like the prisoner's medical conditions, potential execution team incompetence, and secrecy surrounding drug sourcing. These factors, the article states, contribute to the risk of botched executions nationwide, as seen in previous incidents in Tennessee and other states. Following the incident, the head of the Tennessee Department of Correction resigned, and the governor ordered a review.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that State Attorney General Letitia James will take over the investigation into an alleged gang-rape at a Cornell University fraternity in 2024. Hochul criticized Cornell police and the Tompkins County District Attorney for their handling of the case, stating the victim was "failed" by those obligated to protect her. The governor expressed concern over a perceived gap in state law regarding voluntary intoxication and consent in sexual assault cases. The victim, identified as Jane Doe, filed a civil lawsuit alleging she was drugged and raped. The district attorney had previously decided not to prosecute, citing discrepancies between the victim's initial statement and later accounts, though he stated he had not seen her detailed account. Cornell has suspended the Chi Phi fraternity and agreed to an independent investigation of its response.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate a rape case at Cornell University. Hochul stated she lost faith in the prosecutors initially overseeing the case, leading her to transfer responsibility to James's office. The investigation stems from a civil lawsuit filed in September by a woman, identified as Jane Doe, who alleges she was drugged and raped by seven men at a fraternity house in 2024. She also claims Cornell University failed to protect her or adequately punish the accused, known as the Cornell Seven. Attorney General James confirmed her office is prepared to prosecute any offenses found and present evidence to a grand jury. Hochul and James are scheduled to provide an update on the investigation Friday.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul has appointed State Attorney General Letitia James as a special prosecutor to investigate an alleged gang rape at Cornell University in October 2024. Hochul stated that newly released information undermined her confidence in the local prosecutor's handling of the case, asserting that the woman who reported the assault was failed by Cornell University Police and the Tompkins County district attorney's office. The governor signed an executive order to this effect, citing that the Tompkins County district attorney declined to prosecute the case in November 2024 without interviewing the accuser or others involved, and relied on a police statement that omitted her assertion of sexual assault. The case was initially closed without charges in 2024 but was reopened by the Tompkins County District Attorney on Monday following a civil lawsuit filed by the accuser. The appointment transfers control of the criminal investigation to the state attorney general's office.

Christa Pike is scheduled to be executed in Tennessee on September 30th, potentially becoming the first woman executed in the state in over 200 years. In 1995, Pike, then 18, along with her boyfriend, murdered 19-year-old Colleen Slemmer after an argument. Pike's defense lawyers are seeking clemency, arguing that her severe childhood abuse, neglect, and undiagnosed mental health conditions, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, were not adequately presented at trial. They contend that if tried today, Pike would not receive a death sentence due to these mitigating factors. UN human rights experts have also called for the execution to be halted. Colleen Slemmer's mother has expressed a desire for Pike's execution to bring her daughter peace.

Tennessee is scheduled to execute Christa Pike, 50, on Wednesday for the 1995 murder of classmate Colleen Slemmer in Knoxville. Pike, who was 18 at the time of the crime, and her boyfriend were convicted of luring Slemmer to a secluded area, torturing, and killing her. Prosecutors stated Pike acted out of jealousy, fearing Slemmer was a romantic rival. This would be the first execution of a woman in Tennessee in 200 years. Governor Bill Lee has denied Pike's clemency request, and her attorneys have asked the Supreme Court for a stay. Pike's legal team argues her severe childhood abuse and mental illness, including bipolar disorder and PTSD, were not adequately presented at trial. Slemmer's mother supports the execution, stating she has waited decades for justice.

Tennessee's Commissioner of the Department of Correction, Frank Strada, is resigning this month. Governor Bill Lee announced the departure on Saturday, marking a significant staff change following the recent botched execution of Christa Pike. Pike was left unconscious and on a ventilator after the execution attempt. The article states that some of Governor Lee's Republican colleagues and other elected officials had been advocating for a leadership change within the prison system. This marks the second instance since May where Tennessee has encountered issues with executions.

Tennessee's prison chief, Frank Strada, is facing scrutiny following the failed execution of Christa Pike, who survived lethal injection. Lawyers claim this marks the fifth "botched" execution under Strada's leadership across Tennessee and Arizona since 2022. Pike's execution, which involved prolonged suffering and a second failed drug dose, has drawn international condemnation and calls for a halt to U.S. executions. Governor Bill Lee has suspended executions and ordered an inquiry, though he stated the department followed protocol. Strada's tenure in Arizona also saw three executions described as prolonged and problematic by experts, with issues including difficulty finding veins and inadequate training.

The article discusses the attempted execution of Christa Pike, a 50-year-old woman in Tennessee, for a crime committed at age 18. Pike, who has a history of abuse and mental illness, was the first woman scheduled for execution in Tennessee since 1820. The execution failed when lethal drugs did not result in death, leading to the operation being called off and Pike being hospitalized. Her lawyers described the event as "chemical torture." The author contrasts the lack of international outrage with the condemnation that would likely occur if a Middle Eastern country, such as Iran, attempted a similar execution under comparable circumstances. The article also touches on broader issues of the death penalty in the US, including wrongful convictions and racial disparities.

Tennessee Governor Bill Lee has suspended all state executions until at least the end of the year following a failed lethal injection attempt on Christa Pike. Pike's lawyers state she is alive and in critical condition, receiving life-saving medical care. Witnesses described the execution attempt as prolonged and distressing, with Pike still breathing and complaining of burning pain. Pike was convicted in 1995 for the murder of Colleen Slemmer. This incident has prompted calls from death penalty advocates for a nationwide halt to judicial killings, citing it as a violation of constitutional prohibitions against cruel and unusual punishment.