Jury rules black mom must pay white teen $3.2 million after calling him a racist to raise money on GoFundMe
When 19-year-old Asher Vann was in eighth grade in 2021, he attended a sleepover with classmates from Haggard Middle School in Plano. During the gathering, the boys challenged one another to stay awake, agreeing that the first to fall asleep would be pranked.
According to court records, classmate SeMarion Humphrey fell asleep first. Other boys then mixed urine into a glass of apple juice and offered it to him after waking him. Humphrey reportedly took a sip and immediately spat it out.
A video of the incident circulated on Snapchat and spread widely online, drawing national media attention. Humphrey’s mother, Summer Smith, alleged the prank was part of a racially motivated attack that also involved BB-gun shooting and racial slurs. The allegations prompted calls for disciplinary and criminal action against the boys involved.
Police investigated but filed no charges.
Texas teen awarded $3.2M jury verdict after mom of boy tricked into drinking pee claimed he was racist https://t.co/ijQzEnynn7 pic.twitter.com/2dcyRxycK6
— New York Post (@nypost) February 18, 2026
Years later, Vann sued Smith and her attorney, Kim Cole, claiming their public statements falsely portrayed him as a racist attacker and damaged his reputation, education plans, and personal safety. He said he received threats and was ostracized throughout high school despite the lack of criminal findings.
There is a major verdict out of Texas where a mother and an attorney were ordered to pay millions for perpetuating an alleged hate crime hoax that was eagerly spread by the mainstream media. The response from much of the media to the verdict is crickets. https://t.co/T3cEmfqHUJ
— Jonathan Turley (@JonathanTurley) February 13, 2026
During the trial, Vann’s lawyer, Justin Nichols, argued that Smith’s claims were misleading and highlighted how roughly $120,000 raised through a GoFundMe campaign had been spent. According to testimony and financial records presented in court, only about $1,000 of the funds went toward educational or counseling expenses for Humphrey. Jurors heard that the remainder covered personal purchases and living costs.
A jury ultimately found in Vann’s favor and awarded damages. Smith has said she plans to appeal the decision.
Vann stated after the verdict that “there was no winner in the end,” noting that the incident had lasting consequences for everyone involved.
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