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Idaho TikTok ‘Psychic’ Appeals $10 Million Defamation Verdict in University Murder Case
A self-proclaimed TikTok psychic who falsely claimed a University of Idaho professor orchestrated the 2022 murders of four college students has filed an appeal against the $10 million defamation judgment against her.
Court records show Ashley Guillard submitted her notice of appeal on Friday, April 10, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, challenging the jury’s verdict that found her liable for defaming professor Rebecca Scofield.
In January, a federal jury determined Guillard had made demonstrably false statements across numerous social media posts, in which she accused Scofield of masterminding the brutal killings of four University of Idaho students in November 2022. The jury awarded Scofield $10 million in damages, which included compensation for both the murder conspiracy allegations and claims that Scofield had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a student.
The case stems from one of the most high-profile murder investigations in recent Idaho history. In November 2022, four University of Idaho students—Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin—were stabbed to death in their off-campus residence in Moscow, Idaho. The murders shocked the college town and garnered national attention.
As the investigation unfolded, Guillard, who has tens of thousands of social media followers, began posting videos on TikTok claiming she had used tarot cards and “spiritual intuition” to determine that Scofield was behind the killings. She alleged the professor had orchestrated the murders as part of a complex cover-up involving a purported relationship with one of the victims.
Law enforcement never identified Scofield as a suspect. In December 2022, authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger, a criminology Ph.D. student at nearby Washington State University, and charged him with the murders. Kohberger’s trial is still pending, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty.
Scofield, who was out of state during the murders, filed her defamation lawsuit in December 2022, stating that she had never met the victims and that Guillard’s claims were causing severe damage to her reputation and career. According to court documents, the professor received death threats and feared for her family’s safety as Guillard’s accusations spread online.
Despite receiving a cease-and-desist letter from Scofield’s attorneys and the filing of the lawsuit, Guillard continued posting videos making similar claims, even after Kohberger’s arrest. During the defamation trial, evidence showed Guillard had published over 100 videos falsely linking Scofield to the murders.
Legal experts who have followed the case note that it highlights the real-world consequences of viral misinformation and the potential legal liability for social media personalities who spread unfounded accusations.
“This case represents an important precedent in how courts are handling defamation in the social media age,” said Catherine Sanderson, a media law attorney not involved in the case. “The substantial damages award signals that courts take seriously the harm caused by viral misinformation, especially in sensitive cases like murders.”
The $10 million judgment includes both compensatory and punitive damages, reflecting the jury’s assessment of the harm to Scofield’s reputation and the apparently malicious nature of Guillard’s claims.
Guillard, who represented herself during the original trial, has not publicly detailed the grounds for her appeal. Legal experts suggest she may challenge the size of the damages award or argue that her statements were protected opinion rather than assertions of fact.
The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals has not yet set a timeline for hearing the case. Meanwhile, Scofield continues to teach at the University of Idaho, where administrators have expressed support for her throughout the ordeal.
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7 Comments
The $10 million judgment seems significant, but the harm caused by these false claims could also be immense. It will be interesting to see if the appeals court upholds the verdict or finds any grounds for reducing the damages.
As someone interested in the mining and commodities industry, I find this case quite troubling. Spreading disinformation can have real-world impacts, and I hope the appeals process leads to a just outcome that discourages such behavior in the future.
This is a complex issue with important free speech considerations. However, I believe there is a clear line where falsely accusing someone of a serious crime crosses into defamation territory. The appeals court will need to navigate that carefully.
This is a concerning situation. While freedom of speech is important, making false defamatory claims can have serious consequences. I hope the appeals process leads to a fair and just outcome.
This case highlights the challenges of policing harmful content on social media platforms. While it’s good to see the professor seeking accountability, the appeals process will be crucial in setting the right precedent going forward.
It’s troubling to see the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, especially around tragic events. The courts will need to carefully weigh the facts and balance the right to free speech against the harm caused by these kinds of false allegations.
While I’m generally skeptical of large defamation judgments, in this case the alleged actions seem to go beyond mere opinion or commentary. The courts will need to carefully examine the evidence and intent behind the influencer’s statements.