Newly reported text messages between a woman identified as Jane Doe and former Chi Phi fraternity member Jonathan Newell are fueling renewed debate over a sexual assault case involving Cornell University students. The messages show Doe describing the encounter as consensual at the time while acknowledging that those involved had been heavily intoxicated.

The messages, obtained by TMZ and discussed in a critical opinion article, were reportedly exchanged less than 48 hours after the encounter. Newell apologized for how the night unfolded, saying his memory was unclear and that he and another fraternity member, Matthew Ingalls, regretted being too intoxicated to stop the gathering from escalating. “My memory’s kinda fuzzy abt a lot of it,” Newell wrote, according to the published excerpts. He also said he hoped Doe was not facing as much scrutiny as the men involved.

Doe responded that her own memories were clouded and that she believed everyone had been heavily intoxicated. She wrote that she did not believe the sexual activity had been illegal and said she had enjoyed being with Newell and Ingalls. “At the end of the day none of the sexual stuff was illegal,” she wrote. She added that she did not believe the participants should feel shame about their involvement. Doe also acknowledged that having additional people present had been uncomfortable, writing that Newell and Ingalls had been too intoxicated to address the situation and that others should have left the room. In another portion of the exchange, she offered to discuss any regrets and closed by expressing affection for Newell and Ingalls.

The messages have become a point of contention because of the contrast between Doe’s apparent description of the encounter at the time and the sexual assault allegations that emerged later. However, expressions of affection or statements made after a sexual encounter do not, by themselves, establish whether consent was freely given throughout. Intoxication can also complicate questions of consent, memory, and the ability to understand what occurred.

Reporting surrounding the dispute has also referenced an earlier interaction with campus police in which Doe allegedly described the encounter as consensual. Newell was reportedly removed from Nova Southeastern University after being named in a civil lawsuit, while Ingalls has also been publicly identified. The publication of the texts has prompted criticism of media coverage that allegedly did not include the complete exchange.

The dispute has drawn political attention in New York, where Gov. Kathy Hochul and the state attorney general have faced criticism from opponents over the handling of the case. Critics argue that allegations must be investigated fairly and that those accused should not be treated as guilty before the facts are established.

Ultimately, the text messages provide evidence of what Doe and Newell communicated after the encounter, but they do not independently resolve whether a crime occurred. Determining that question requires consideration of the full timeline, the participants’ levels of intoxication, the surrounding circumstances, and the other evidence gathered by investigators.