More reported texts show Cornell Jane Doe describing ketamine use with a defendant before calling the night nonconsensual

A newly reported text chain sheds more light on the messages between the Cornell student known as Jane Doe and Jonathan Newell, one of the former fraternity members she is suing.

In messages sent on the evening of Oct. 21, 2024, two days after the alleged assault at the Chi Phi house, Doe brings up taking ketamine off Newell's body during the night. She describes it as one of the most jaw-dropping moments of the evening. Newell answers that he has no memory of it.

Two very different accounts

In the same exchange she appears to defend what happened in the room and writes that no one should feel shame. In later messages they discuss gossip going around campus and a pair of earrings she believed she left behind in his room.

By Nov. 3 her tone had changed sharply. She wrote to Newell that most of that night, 90% by her count, happened without her consent. She wrote that she was given more ketamine than she could remember and had told him she felt uncomfortable around people she did not know. She said the drug use made her feel used like a sex worker.

Newell replied the next day. He again said he did not remember the drug use and wrote that he had felt terrible about the situation. He said that if he had been less intoxicated and more aware he would have shut things down when other men started walking into the room.

The lawsuit

Doe's civil suit accuses seven former Chi Phi members of drugging and sexually assaulting her in October 2024. It also claims Newell posted a crude message in a fraternity group chat that night. The men deny wrongdoing and no criminal charges have been filed.