Jury Finds $10 Million Verdict in Tik Tok Psychic Case (Scofield V. Guillard)

Why It Matters

The verdict demonstrates that reckless, false statements by online personalities can attract multi‑million judgments and long‑term enforcement, deterring defamatory content on social media.

Key Takeaways

• Jury awarded $10 million against TikTok psychic for defamation.
• Plaintiff proved false claims of romantic affair and murder involvement.
• Punitive damages of $2.5 M and $5 M affirmed clear‑evidence standard.
• Judgment can be enforced for decades via wage garnishment and liens.
• Case highlights risks of unverified psychic claims on social media platforms.

Summary

A Nevada jury delivered a $10 million verdict in Scoffield v. Gillard, finding TikTok self‑styled psychic Ashley Gillard liable for defamation after a four‑day trial.

The jury concluded, by a preponderance of the evidence, that Gillard’s false statements that plaintiff Rebecca Scoffield—a university professor—had an inappropriate romantic relationship with a student damaged her reputation, awarding $1 million in compensatory damages. Using a clear‑and‑convincing standard, jurors also found Gillard’s claims that Scoffield orchestrated the 2022 University of Idaho murders warranted punitive damages of $5 million, and that her allegation of a romantic affair warranted $2.5 million in punitive damages, bringing total damages to $10 million.

During cross‑examination, Gillard insisted that, as a psychic, she need not produce evidence, a stance the court rejected. The transcript notes the defendant’s refusal to substantiate her claims, despite the perpetrators of the murders already being convicted, and highlights the jury’s detailed damage questionnaire.

The judgment can be renewed for 25 years and enforced through wage garnishment, liens, and property seizures, effectively crippling Gillard’s financial future. The case serves as a warning to influencers that unverified, defamatory statements on social platforms can trigger massive civil liability and long‑term enforcement actions.

Original Description

The Tik Tok Psychic, Ashley Guillard, has suffered a $10 Million verdict after a four-day trial by a jury of her peers. Guillard was found liable for defamation after she wrongly maintained that Scofield was involved in the murders of four University of Idaho students, and that she had an inappropriate relationship with a student. The actual killer, Bryan Kohberger, has pled guilty and been sentenced to four consecutive life sentences in prison without the possibility of parole.

@atozy livestream: https://www.youtube.com/live/9Gqf-9IaWDU?si=eLmvkEoiIAoik-sU

00:00 - Introduction

01:13 - Jury Verdict Form

03:51 - Leonard Thoughts