Published 1 hour ago • loading... • Updated 1 hour ago
Accused Cornell University student asks for gag order
Sarabia’s lawyers say public statements by both sides could prejudice jurors and expose parties to threats and doxing.
On Monday, attorneys for defendant Diego Sarabia asked a New York judge to impose "narrowly tailored restrictions" on public comments, arguing that intense publicity risks tainting potential jurors in the civil lawsuit.
Jane Doe filed the lawsuit last month, alleging she was sexually assaulted by seven members of Cornell University's Chi Phi fraternity in October 2024 and accusing the university of a cover-up.
Attorney James Knox, representing Sarabia, characterized plaintiff lawyer Thomas Giuffra's media appearances as an "orchestrated campaign", while Giuffra rejected the request as an attempt "to silence me and Ms. Doe".
Judge Phaedra Perry-Bond sealed documents last Friday after a Marine sharing a defendant's name faced "continued and ongoing harassment", condemning the internet vigilantism as reckless and dangerous.
The New York attorney general is overseeing a separate criminal investigation after Governor Kathy Hochul intervened, while Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff reaffirmed his commitment to an independent review of the university's handling.