A three-year defamation lawsuit ended with University of Idaho professor Rebecca Scofield being awarded $10 million in damages after she sued Texas true crime TikToker, Ashley Guillard. Guillard was sued for defamation after she accused the professor of the November 2022 murders of four UI students.
Guillard, a TikTok personality, preformed a tarot card following the murder of four UI students by Bryan Kohberger in 2022, where she falsely accused Scofield of involvement in the case and posted over 100 videos arguing her stance.
Scofield, who is a UI history professor and department chair, testified at the four-day federal trial, stating that the false public accusations caused her severe anxiety, PTSD and intense nerve pain, which has made her position as of UI history chair difficult, as well as damaging her career.
Scofield and her attorneys were originally asking for $1.8 million, but she was awarded $10 million damages. The jury determined that $7.5 million of the award is for punitive damages to prevent Guillard from acting this way in the future, and the other $2.5 million is compensatory for losses including medical expenses and noneconomic costs, such as pain and suffering.
“The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences,” Scofield said in a statement received by The Argonaut “I am hopeful that this difficult chapter in my life is over and I can return to a more normal life with my...
Park Filed Complaint Against President Lee Ahead of 2021 Election Jang Youngha Sentenced to One Year in Prison, Two Years Probation Confirmed The police have launched an investigation into Park Chu...