Lawyers for Diego Sarabia, one of the men accused in a civil lawsuit by a former Cornell University student, are requesting a gag order to limit public comments on the case. The lawsuit alleges that Jane Doe was drugged and raped at a fraternity house in 2024. Sarabia’s attorneys argue that media coverage could influence potential jurors and lead to threats or intimidation. They claim that Jane Doe’s lawyer, Thomas Giuffra, has been trying the case in the media. Giuffra counters that the defense has leaked documents and questioned Doe’s story. The case has sparked discussions about handling sexual assault allegations on college campuses.
QUESTION: How might media coverage of legal cases impact the fairness of a trial?
