Lawyers fighting N.Y. AG’s role in Cornell assault investigation say she isn’t ‘viable’ as prosecutor

MONTICELLO, N.Y. — Lawyers for one of seven former Cornell University fraternity members accused in a high-profile sexual assault lawsuit argued in court Thursday that New York Attorney General Letitia James should be removed as special prosecutor, alleging she is biased against the defendants.

Gillio Lopes filed a petition this month seeking to block James’ appointment to oversee the case. The petition argues that James has “unequivocally demonstrated a bias and presumption of guilt against the defendants.” Lopes has denied sexually assaulting the plaintiff, who has been identified in court documents by the pseudonym Jane Doe.

Sullivan County Supreme Court Judge James R. Farrell did not immediately rule on Lopes’ lawyers’ request.

Lopes’ attorneys have cited a social media post James published three days before she was appointed special prosecutor. “What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable,” James wrote on X on Sept. 28. “I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers. To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”

Stuart Bernstein, one of Lopes’ attorneys, told Farrell that James had “failed” in her obligation to “represent all of the citizens of New York state.”

Bernstein added…

Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/health