\n<\/p>\n
New York Governor Kathy Hochul last week appointed James as a special prosecutor to investigate the case and how law enforcement and the university initially responded to the allegations made by a woman identified in the lawsuit as Jane Doe.<\/p>\n
Jane Doe has accused the university of failing to protect her, after she was allegedly drugged and raped by the men for several hours at a fraternity party. <\/p>\n
Days before she was appointed special prosecutor, James wrote on X: “What this young woman has been forced to endure is horrific and unacceptable. <\/p>\n
“I’m holding her in my heart and in my prayers,” she continued. “To her, and to all survivors: you’re not alone. We stand with you.”<\/p>\n
The lawyer for one of the seven accused said these remarks were disqualifying. <\/p>\n
In a statement sent to the BBC’s US media partner, CBS News, the lawyer said her comments conflict with the need for “independently evaluating the evidence”.<\/p>\n
“This is not an accusation that Attorney General James is corrupt, acting in bad faith or incapable of performing her duties professionally,” the statement said. <\/p>\n
“Nor am I suggesting that a court has determined that she is legally disqualified. The point is much narrower: an avoidable question now hangs over this investigation, and voluntary recusal would remove it.”<\/p>\n
Governor Hochul and James were questioned about impartiality concerns during a news conference, and Hochul said James would “follow the facts”. <\/p>\n
“She’ll examine the evidence and go wherever it leads, and if the evidence supports charges, she will pursue them,” Hochul said. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n