Cornell University police questioned members of the Chi Phi fraternity about their knowledge of an alleged sexual assault that occurred at the fraternity house in 2024. Newly obtained videos reveal investigators pressing fraternity members on how they knew the alleged encounters were consensual, a central point in the ongoing probes.

Two separate investigations are currently underway. One aims to determine if criminal charges should be filed related to the alleged assault, while the second will examine how Cornell University handled the case. The alleged victim, a former student, claims she was raped at the fraternity house.

In the videos, fraternity members present in the house at the time of the alleged assault, though not directly involved, told police they had heard the events were consensual. One member stated, "The general rumor that was going around was that it was a consensual thing." However, the investigator questioned the basis of this knowledge, stating, "I guess where -- how do they know it was consensual?"

The questioning highlights the difficulty in establishing consent, especially when information is based on hearsay within the fraternity. The officer's line of questioning suggests skepticism about fraternity members' ability to ascertain consent, particularly given the circumstances described by the alleged victim.

The fraternity member questioned could not recall specific details of conversations, only that "they said that they had sex with her, I guess." He also struggled to identify the specific fraternity members involved, which led the officer to express concern about appearances, noting, "You're a brother."

Further complicating the narrative, the alleged victim, referred to as Jane Doe, testified before a Cornell panel months later. Her testimony, obtained by ABC News, unequivocally described the event as non-consensual. She stated, "I was prostituted and I was held up like bait for a gaggle of men... I remember feeling like there was a joke and I was not in on it."

The fraternity member also stated he did not know exactly what the woman was doing and could not recall everyone who was in the room. He expressed a reluctance to make assumptions based on his limited memory, stating, "I don't want to make assumptions based on what I don't remember."

The case raises significant questions about fraternity culture, accountability, and the university's response to allegations of sexual assault. The outcome of the two investigations will likely shape future protocols for handling such incidents at Cornell and potentially other institutions.