Judge Blocks Meta From Introducing Plaintiff's Alleged Childhood Trauma Claims

The judge barred the defense from using a housing application that mentioned the plaintiff's claims of past sexual abuse.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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In a high-profile social media trial in Los Angeles, the judge presiding over the case blocked Meta's defense from introducing a housing application filled out by the plaintiff, Kaley G.M., that mentioned she had suffered "sexual abuse during childhood." The judge expressed skepticism about the validity of these claims, stating the document appeared to be an attempt by the plaintiff to exaggerate her past traumas in order to secure housing assistance.

Why it matters

This ruling is significant as it limits the evidence the defense can present regarding the plaintiff's personal history and potential pre-existing mental health conditions. The judge's comments also raise questions about the credibility of the plaintiff's claims of past abuse, which could impact the overall trial proceedings and outcome.

The details

The exchange occurred after the jury and a psychiatric witness had been dismissed for the day. Meta's lawyer, Paul Schmidt, sought to introduce the housing application filled out by the plaintiff in May 2024, after the lawsuit was filed. In the application, the plaintiff had written that she had experienced "exposure to neglect, emotional, physical and sexual abuse during childhood." Schmidt offered to redact the mention of sexual abuse, as it had not been discussed in the trial, but the judge, Carolyn Kuhl, refused to allow the document to be entered as evidence. Judge Kuhl expressed skepticism about the plaintiff's claims, stating "It looks like she's lying here. She's bringing up autism, she's bringing up sexual abuse that never happened." The judge suggested the plaintiff may have exaggerated her past traumas in order to secure housing assistance.

  • The housing application was filled out by the plaintiff in May 2024, after the lawsuit was filed.

The players

Kaley G.M.

The 20-year-old female plaintiff in the social media trial.

Paul Schmidt

The lawyer representing Meta in the trial.

Judge Carolyn Kuhl

The judge presiding over the social media trial in Los Angeles.

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What they’re saying

“It looks like she's lying here. She's bringing up autism, she's bringing up sexual abuse that never happened.”

— Judge Carolyn Kuhl

“As a judge who sat in child abuse courts, sometimes kids do that.”

— Judge Carolyn Kuhl

What’s next

The trial is ongoing, and the judge has expressed concerns about the time constraints for both sides to present their cases. The defense's ability to introduce evidence related to the plaintiff's personal history and potential pre-existing conditions may continue to be a point of contention as the trial progresses.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the delicate balance the court must strike between allowing relevant evidence and protecting the plaintiff's privacy, especially when it comes to sensitive personal matters. The judge's skepticism about the credibility of the plaintiff's claims raises questions about the strength of the plaintiff's case and the potential impact on the overall trial outcome.