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Court Hearing Set on Letitia James Grand Jury Disqualification

By Drooid · Oct 12, 2026, 5:58 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Letitia James Disqualification Motion

Defense attorneys filed a motion to disqualify Attorney General Letitia James from future grand jury proceedings.
The motion cites James’s Sept. 28 social-media post “You’re not alone” as prejudgment.
A hearing on the disqualification request is set for Oct. 29 in Tompkins County court.
If granted, the court could remove James and require the state to appoint a new special prosecutor.

Summary

Jane Doe sues Cornell

Jane Doe sued Cornell University, alleging Chi Phi fraternity members drugged and raped her in 2024.
Gov. Kathy Hochul appointed Attorney General Letitia James as special prosecutor for the case in October 2026.
Cornell hired former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates to review its sexual-assault policies.
Two men were expelled, two suspended, two received educational sanctions, and one received a three-year ban.

History

Historical Context

May 1973 Attorney General Elliot Richardson appointed Archibald Cox as a prosecutor, removable only for cause. Nixon’s October 20 “Saturday Night Massacre,” when Richardson and Deputy William Ruckelshaus resigned and Robert Bork fired Cox, sparked crisis and a judge declared the dismissal illegal. 2026 move to disqualify New York Attorney General Letitia James in Cornell sexual-assault case echoes disputes over prosecutorial independence, recalling 71,000 telegrams after Cox’s firing.

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Letitia James Disqualification Motion

Defense attorneys filed a motion to disqualify Attorney General Letitia James from future grand jury proceedings.
The motion cites James’s Sept. 28 social-media post “You’re not alone” as prejudgment.
A hearing on the disqualification request is set for Oct. 29 in Tompkins County court.
If granted, the court could remove James and require the state to appoint a new special prosecutor.

1 / 3