One of the ‘Cornell 7’ wants a gag order to limit what can be said publicly about alleged gang-rape

One of the ‘Cornell 7’ wants a gag order to limit what can be said publicly about alleged gang-rape An attorney for one of the accused Chi Phi fraternity brothers said that Jane Doe’s attorney ‘has been trying his case in the media since filing the lawsuit’ - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments Become an Independent member to bookmark this article Already a member? Log in An attorney for one of the men accused in the Cornell gang-rape case has requested that the judge impose a gag order to limit what can be said in public. Jane Doe filed the lawsuit last month, alleging that she was sexually assaulted by seven members of Cornell’s Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024, accusing the university of a cover-up. Her attorney has given dozens of media interviews since filing the lawsuit, which attorneys for some of the accused want to stop. The names and photographs of the former fraternity brothers accused in the case have been widely circulated on social media following public outcry. None of the men have been criminally charged, and all have denied wrongdoing. James C. Knox, an attorney for one of the men accused, made the filing on Oct. 9, requesting the judge impose the gag order. He argued that Doe’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, “has been trying his case in the media since filing the lawsuit, and reporting indicates that this was deliberate and planned.” “Plaintiff’s attorney’s media blast was not merely an organic result of inquiry, but has been an orchestrated campaign from the outset,” Knox wrote in the filing. Knox accused Giuffra of engaging in a “media tour” which he claimed was a “risk of prejudice to our client, and more generally, all defendants.” The lawyer also cited concerns about doxing after the address of a U.S. Marine with the same name as one of the defendants was mistakenly included in court documents. The Marine and his family were harassed as a result. “The Court has already found that information appearing in filed documents was used by online observers to threaten and dox a nonparty’s family after an erroneous address was associated with a Defendant,” the filing said, referring to the incident. In response, Giuffra said that the gag order was an attempt “to silence me and Ms. Doe because we have been so successful in rebutting their ineffectual attempts to undermine her story.” “Truth always wins out,” Giuffra told the New York Post. At the time, Doe reported the incident to Cornell’s police department, triggering the suspension of the Chi Phi fraternity and prompting a months-long investigation. Two of the men were expelled and others were suspended. Cornell’s president addressed the incident last week as the case continues to make national headlines and has sparked protests across the country. In an eight-minute video message, Michael Kotlikoff acknowledged troubling questions about the investigations that followed the allegations. “My heart aches when I think of what she experienced,” Kotlikoff said. “It raises heartbreaking and troubling issues about sexual assault, dehumanization and aspects of party culture, alcohol and drug use.” Kotlikoff reaffirmed his commitment to supporting an independent review of Cornell's handling of the case and said the school's Board of Trustees would announce details next week. He also showed support for New York Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to turn the criminal investigation over to the state attorney general. “I want to acknowledge something that can be difficult for an institution to say,” Kotlikoff said. “We don’t have all the answers, but we are committed to investigating and finding the answers our community deserves.” Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments