NY governor says Cornell fraternity rape victim 'failed' by system

In Ithaca, New York Governor Kathy Hochul says the victim of Cornell University fraternity rape case was "failed" by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her.

The governor says she decided to turn the case over to a special prosecutor after learning details about how authorities have inappropriately handled the woman's claims.

Hochul says, "In what world would the police learn from a victim that she'd been literally gang raped while intoxicated by five men in a fraternity house, and not elevate those allegations to the district attorney? In what world is the district attorney not even interview her or anyone else involved, or even request the full transcript. This woman, this young woman, had already endured something that is utterly unspeakable and that at every turn she has failed by people and institutions with an obligation to protect her."

She further states: "No public official gets to look the other way when the system breaks down and fails our young people. And as governor, I will not allow anyone to sweep this case under the rug. We are ensuring that all the facts of this case are brought into the light."

"This case is also exposed another problem we need to address: a gap in state law."