Legal Videos

Verdict! TikTok Psychic Damages Verdict Is In! 🤯

The federal court in Idaho delivered a verdict in the high‑profile defamation lawsuit brought by a TikTok creator who accused a University of Idaho professor of orchestrating the murders of four students. The plaintiff, who chose to represent herself, faced a four‑day trial that focused solely on damages after summary‑judgment resolved liability. The jury awarded a total of $10 million: $2.5 million in compensatory damages for the first defamation count and $1.5 million for the second, plus punitive damages of $2.5 million and $5 million respectively. Because Idaho law caps punitive awards at either $250,000 or three times the compensatory amount, the punitive portion was reduced to $7.5 million, exactly three times the $2.5 million in compensatory damages. During the trial the plaintiff even cross‑examined herself, allowing the court to play the TikTok videos that formed the basis of her accusations. The jury deliberated for roughly two hours before reaching its decision, and the professor’s attorney emphasized the statutory cap, guiding the jury to award the maximum permissible punitive sum. The verdict sends a clear warning to influencers that reckless, unverified claims can trigger substantial financial penalties, and it underscores the practical limits of punitive damages in Idaho. It also illustrates the perils of self‑representation in complex federal litigation, where strategic legal arguments can dramatically shape award outcomes.