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A TikTok influencer who used divination cards to make false murder accusations against a University of Idaho professor has been ordered to pay $10 million in damages, following a federal jury’s decision last month.
Ashley Guillard, a Texas-based social media personality with over 100,000 followers, posted numerous videos falsely linking Professor Rebecca Scofield to the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students: Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle, and Ethan Chapin.
The grisly quadruple homicide in Moscow, Idaho, which shocked the nation, was actually committed by Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty last year and is currently serving a life sentence. Despite Kohberger’s confession and conviction, Guillard continued to spread baseless accusations against Scofield.
According to court documents, Guillard claimed to solve murders by consulting tarot cards and conducting “readings” to obtain information about crimes. She used her platform to allege that Professor Scofield had ordered or participated in the killings and had been romantically involved with one of the victims.
The lawsuit filed by Scofield stated that these accusations were entirely fabricated. The professor maintained that she had never met any of the victims and was out of town when the murders occurred. Despite receiving cease-and-desist letters from Scofield’s legal team, Guillard persisted with her defamatory content.
“The videos were viewed millions of times, amplifying Guillard’s online persona at the expense of Professor Scofield’s reputation,” the lawsuit stated. As a result of these false accusations, Scofield became the target of online harassment, ridicule, and threats from Guillard’s followers.
The case highlights the growing concern around online influencers who use true crime cases to build their following without adhering to journalistic standards or ethical considerations. In the age of viral content, accusations can spread rapidly, causing significant harm to innocent individuals before facts can be verified.
Legal experts note that this substantial $10 million judgment sends a strong message about the potential consequences of spreading unfounded accusations on social media platforms. While Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects platforms like TikTok from liability for user content, it does not shield content creators themselves from defamation claims.
Despite the verdict, Guillard appears unrepentant. She has posted multiple TikTok videos contesting the judgment, claiming she could not receive a fair trial in Idaho. This stance contradicts her earlier confidence about the legal proceedings, when she stated in 2022: “I’m actually gleaming with excitement. I cannot wait to present my ideas in court.”
The case also brings attention to the phenomenon of amateur internet sleuths who attempt to solve high-profile crimes without proper training or methodology. While citizen involvement has occasionally aided investigations in the past, unfounded accusations can derail actual investigations and cause substantial harm to falsely accused individuals.
For Professor Scofield, the $10 million judgment represents vindication after enduring significant damage to her professional reputation and personal well-being. However, legal analysts point out that collecting such judgments can be challenging, particularly if the defendant lacks significant assets.
The University of Idaho community continues to heal from the tragic murders, with the case serving as a sobering reminder of both the real-world impact of social media speculation and the devastating loss of four young lives in a crime that shook the small college town of Moscow, Idaho, in November 2022.
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14 Comments
This is a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked social media influence. Falsely accusing an innocent person of a heinous crime is a grave abuse of power, and I’m glad the professor was able to seek justice through the courts.
A $10 million judgment is a substantial penalty, but it’s warranted given the severity of the influencer’s actions. This ruling sends a clear message that defamation, even on social media, will not be tolerated.
It’s disheartening to see how social media can be exploited to peddle false narratives and baseless conspiracy theories. This $10 million judgment is a sobering reminder that there are real-world legal consequences for defamation, even for online influencers.
Maligning an innocent person’s reputation for personal gain is unconscionable. I’m glad the professor was able to vindicate herself and hold this TikTok creator accountable through the courts.
Spreading baseless accusations and false information on social media can have serious consequences. This TikTok influencer’s malicious actions have led to a hefty $10 million judgment – a stark reminder that defamation has a heavy price tag.
Consulting tarot cards to ‘solve’ murders and then broadcasting those fabrications is irresponsible and harmful. The professor was clearly vindicated by the court’s ruling.
This case underscores the need for greater media literacy and fact-checking, especially when it comes to high-profile criminal cases. Spreading unsubstantiated claims, even through social media, can have devastating consequences, as this $10 million judgment demonstrates.
While freedom of speech is important, it does not grant a license to defame others. This ruling sends a clear message that there are legal boundaries that must be respected, even for online influencers.
Exploiting a tragic crime to promote baseless conspiracy theories is a reprehensible abuse of social media influence. This $10 million judgment is a stark reminder that there are real consequences for such reckless and harmful behavior.
I’m glad the professor was able to seek justice and hold this TikTok creator accountable. Defamation, even on social media, can have serious legal ramifications, as this case has shown.
While social media has democratized public discourse, it has also enabled the spread of misinformation and false narratives. This $10 million judgment underscores the need for greater accountability and responsibility when using online platforms.
Weaponizing social media to make baseless accusations that damage someone’s reputation is a serious offense. I’m glad the courts have upheld the principle that defamation has real consequences, even for high-profile influencers.
While it’s concerning that someone with a large social media following would weaponize their platform to make such damaging, unsubstantiated claims, I’m glad the justice system held this influencer accountable. $10 million in damages is a significant penalty.
Spreading misinformation, especially around high-profile criminal cases, can have far-reaching consequences. This ruling serves as an important lesson about the importance of verifying facts before posting online.