University of Idaho historian Rebecca Scofield says online accusations falsely tying her to the 2022 murders of four students affected her family life, work and sense of safety. In a New York Times opinion piece published Monday, she described staying awake near her children’s bedrooms and shifting to remote teaching after receiving disturbing and threatening messages.
The accusations came from TikTok creator Ashley Guillard, who posted more than 100 videos alleging Scofield was involved in the killings, according to Scofield’s account. Scofield said the videos continued after her lawyers sent a cease-and-desist notice and Moscow police said she was not a suspect. Guillard continued posting even after Bryan Kohberger was arrested, the source reports.
A federal jury awarded Scofield $10 million in her defamation lawsuit against Guillard. Guillard, who is from Houston, has appealed the verdict to the Ninth Circuit.
Scofield’s op-ed also calls attention to the role of social media companies in spreading damaging claims. She argues that Section 230 limits platforms’ exposure to many defamation lawsuits and raises questions about possible reforms. Her discussion of the law and platform responsibility is her argument, not a court finding about TikTok’s liability in her case.
Kohberger admitted last year to killing students Madison Mogen, Kaylee Goncalves, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin. The killings took place in Moscow, Idaho, on Nov. 13, 2022. The source reports that Kohberger later petitioned to withdraw his plea and was scheduled for a virtual hearing on a motion seeking the judge’s removal.
