Topline: Ashley Guillard falsely claimed professor Rebecca Scofield was involved in the 2022 Idaho murders.
Published: March 9, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Ashley Guillard (via TikTok)
BOISE, ID — A federal jury ordered a TikTok influencer to pay $10 million in damages to a University of Idaho professor for falsely accusing her of involvement in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four students.
According to the Idaho Statesman, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Ashley Guillard liable for defamation against Rebecca Scofield, a history professor. Scofield testified the online accusations damaged her mental health, professional standing and reputation.
Guillard, 40, used tarot cards and what she termed “spiritual intuition” to build an online following. She began posting videos shortly after the November 2022 murders, claiming Scofield was linked to the crimes.
Authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger six weeks after the killings of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 and is serving four life sentences.
Despite the arrest and eventual conviction, Guillard continued to post videos about Scofield through August 2025. She alleged the professor had a romantic relationship with one of the victims and ordered the killings to prevent the relationship from being exposed.
The influencer posted Scofield’s photograph and personal data online without evidence, according to reports from the Idaho Statesman. Scofield filed her defamation lawsuit in December 2022.
Court records show Guillard ignored cease-and-desist letters. She also continued to post after Moscow police publicly confirmed in a press release that Scofield was not a suspect in the homicides.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco ruled in June 2024 that Guillard’s statements were defamatory. Patricco found the claims lacked an objective basis and relied only on the defendant’s self-described intuition.
The four-day trial that concluded Feb. 27 focused on the financial penalty for those statements. Scofield told the jury the ordeal caused her severe anxiety, PTSD and physical nerve pain.
The professor testified that the stress made her work as the university’s history department chair difficult. She said her family avoided a public vigil for the victims because they felt unsafe and isolated from their community.
Scofield told jurors she felt she lost ownership of her identity during the period the videos were circulating. She described the experience as terrifying.
Guillard represented herself during the proceedings. She called herself as her only witness and testified that she believed her psychic abilities were real.
The defendant told the court she learned tarot reading through self-study and online videos. She testified that she posted the content because she wanted to push authorities to investigate leads she believed were being ignored.
Guillard admitted to making more than 100 videos about the case. She continued this activity even after Kohberger pleaded guilty to the four murders.
The trial allowed Scofield to confront Guillard in person. The professor noted from the witness stand that Guillard had never met her or her husband yet produced dozens of videos about them.
“You spoke lies into a camera, about me and my husband,” Scofield said as per the Independent. “You were making (dozens) of videos about me, someone you never met, you never talked to, someone you had no connection to. I don’t know how anyone could not feel threatened by that level of interest from someone they had never met.”
Scofield testified that the level of interest from a stranger felt threatening. The jury eventually awarded $6.5 million for the false murder accusations and $3.5 million for the claims regarding a relationship with a student.
Punitive damages accounted for $7.5 million of the total award. These funds are intended to punish the defendant and discourage others from similar behavior.The remaining $2.5 million covers medical expenses and emotional distress.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Scofield said the verdict sends a message that false online statements have real-world consequences.
“The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community,” Scofield explained.
The 2022 murders remain the most difficult period in the history of the university, Scofield continued. She added that the court’s decision shows victims deserve respect and care during tragedies.
In a 21-part series of TikTok videos posted March 2 and 3, Guillard responded to the verdict, disputing the jury’s ruling and calling it “unfair and ridiculous.”
Guillard told PEOPLE that the “verdict does not reflect the evidence” and questioned the impartiality of several jurors. She also stated she may appeal the ruling.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Texas TikTok Tarot Reader Hit With $10M Defamation Ruling
Ashley Guillard falsely claimed professor Rebecca Scofield was involved in the 2022 Idaho murders.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 9, 2026 6:00 am ET
Ashley Guillard (via TikTok)
BOISE, ID — A federal jury ordered a TikTok influencer to pay $10 million in damages to a University of Idaho professor for falsely accusing her of involvement in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four students.
According to the Idaho Statesman, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Ashley Guillard liable for defamation against Rebecca Scofield, a history professor. Scofield testified the online accusations damaged her mental health, professional standing and reputation.
Guillard, 40, used tarot cards and what she termed “spiritual intuition” to build an online following. She began posting videos shortly after the November 2022 murders, claiming Scofield was linked to the crimes.
Authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger six weeks after the killings of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 and is serving four life sentences.
Despite the arrest and eventual conviction, Guillard continued to post videos about Scofield through August 2025. She alleged the professor had a romantic relationship with one of the victims and ordered the killings to prevent the relationship from being exposed.
The influencer posted Scofield’s photograph and personal data online without evidence, according to reports from the Idaho Statesman. Scofield filed her defamation lawsuit in December 2022.
Court records show Guillard ignored cease-and-desist letters. She also continued to post after Moscow police publicly confirmed in a press release that Scofield was not a suspect in the homicides.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco ruled in June 2024 that Guillard’s statements were defamatory. Patricco found the claims lacked an objective basis and relied only on the defendant’s self-described intuition.
The four-day trial that concluded Feb. 27 focused on the financial penalty for those statements. Scofield told the jury the ordeal caused her severe anxiety, PTSD and physical nerve pain.
The professor testified that the stress made her work as the university’s history department chair difficult. She said her family avoided a public vigil for the victims because they felt unsafe and isolated from their community.
Scofield told jurors she felt she lost ownership of her identity during the period the videos were circulating. She described the experience as terrifying.
Guillard represented herself during the proceedings. She called herself as her only witness and testified that she believed her psychic abilities were real.
The defendant told the court she learned tarot reading through self-study and online videos. She testified that she posted the content because she wanted to push authorities to investigate leads she believed were being ignored.
Guillard admitted to making more than 100 videos about the case. She continued this activity even after Kohberger pleaded guilty to the four murders.
The trial allowed Scofield to confront Guillard in person. The professor noted from the witness stand that Guillard had never met her or her husband yet produced dozens of videos about them.
“You spoke lies into a camera, about me and my husband,” Scofield said as per the Independent. “You were making (dozens) of videos about me, someone you never met, you never talked to, someone you had no connection to. I don’t know how anyone could not feel threatened by that level of interest from someone they had never met.”
Scofield testified that the level of interest from a stranger felt threatening. The jury eventually awarded $6.5 million for the false murder accusations and $3.5 million for the claims regarding a relationship with a student.
Punitive damages accounted for $7.5 million of the total award. These funds are intended to punish the defendant and discourage others from similar behavior.The remaining $2.5 million covers medical expenses and emotional distress.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Scofield said the verdict sends a message that false online statements have real-world consequences.
“The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community,” Scofield explained.
The 2022 murders remain the most difficult period in the history of the university, Scofield continued. She added that the court’s decision shows victims deserve respect and care during tragedies.
In a 21-part series of TikTok videos posted March 2 and 3, Guillard responded to the verdict, disputing the jury’s ruling and calling it “unfair and ridiculous.”
Guillard told PEOPLE that the “verdict does not reflect the evidence” and questioned the impartiality of several jurors. She also stated she may appeal the ruling.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
Must Read
Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Texas TikTok Tarot Reader Hit With $10M Defamation Ruling
Ashley Guillard falsely claimed professor Rebecca Scofield was involved in the 2022 Idaho murders.
By Kate Byrd
Published: March 9, 2026 6:00 am ET
Ashley Guillard (via TikTok)
BOISE, ID — A federal jury ordered a TikTok influencer to pay $10 million in damages to a University of Idaho professor for falsely accusing her of involvement in the 2022 stabbing deaths of four students.
According to the Idaho Statesman, the jury deliberated for less than two hours before finding Ashley Guillard liable for defamation against Rebecca Scofield, a history professor. Scofield testified the online accusations damaged her mental health, professional standing and reputation.
Guillard, 40, used tarot cards and what she termed “spiritual intuition” to build an online following. She began posting videos shortly after the November 2022 murders, claiming Scofield was linked to the crimes.
Authorities arrested Bryan Kohberger six weeks after the killings of Ethan Chapin, 20, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Kaylee Goncalves, 21. Kohberger pleaded guilty in July 2025 and is serving four life sentences.
Despite the arrest and eventual conviction, Guillard continued to post videos about Scofield through August 2025. She alleged the professor had a romantic relationship with one of the victims and ordered the killings to prevent the relationship from being exposed.
The influencer posted Scofield’s photograph and personal data online without evidence, according to reports from the Idaho Statesman. Scofield filed her defamation lawsuit in December 2022.
Court records show Guillard ignored cease-and-desist letters. She also continued to post after Moscow police publicly confirmed in a press release that Scofield was not a suspect in the homicides.
Chief U.S. Magistrate Judge Raymond Patricco ruled in June 2024 that Guillard’s statements were defamatory. Patricco found the claims lacked an objective basis and relied only on the defendant’s self-described intuition.
The four-day trial that concluded Feb. 27 focused on the financial penalty for those statements. Scofield told the jury the ordeal caused her severe anxiety, PTSD and physical nerve pain.
The professor testified that the stress made her work as the university’s history department chair difficult. She said her family avoided a public vigil for the victims because they felt unsafe and isolated from their community.
Scofield told jurors she felt she lost ownership of her identity during the period the videos were circulating. She described the experience as terrifying.
Guillard represented herself during the proceedings. She called herself as her only witness and testified that she believed her psychic abilities were real.
The defendant told the court she learned tarot reading through self-study and online videos. She testified that she posted the content because she wanted to push authorities to investigate leads she believed were being ignored.
Guillard admitted to making more than 100 videos about the case. She continued this activity even after Kohberger pleaded guilty to the four murders.
The trial allowed Scofield to confront Guillard in person. The professor noted from the witness stand that Guillard had never met her or her husband yet produced dozens of videos about them.
“You spoke lies into a camera, about me and my husband,” Scofield said as per the Independent. “You were making (dozens) of videos about me, someone you never met, you never talked to, someone you had no connection to. I don’t know how anyone could not feel threatened by that level of interest from someone they had never met.”
Scofield testified that the level of interest from a stranger felt threatening. The jury eventually awarded $6.5 million for the false murder accusations and $3.5 million for the claims regarding a relationship with a student.
Punitive damages accounted for $7.5 million of the total award. These funds are intended to punish the defendant and discourage others from similar behavior.The remaining $2.5 million covers medical expenses and emotional distress.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Scofield said the verdict sends a message that false online statements have real-world consequences.
“The $10 million verdict reinforces the judge’s decision and sends the clear message that false statements online have consequences in the real world for real people and are unacceptable in our community,” Scofield explained.
The 2022 murders remain the most difficult period in the history of the university, Scofield continued. She added that the court’s decision shows victims deserve respect and care during tragedies.
In a 21-part series of TikTok videos posted March 2 and 3, Guillard responded to the verdict, disputing the jury’s ruling and calling it “unfair and ridiculous.”
Guillard told PEOPLE that the “verdict does not reflect the evidence” and questioned the impartiality of several jurors. She also stated she may appeal the ruling.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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