Texas Jury Rules Alleged Hate Crime Against Black Student Was a Hoax

Court orders mother and attorney to pay $3.2 million in damages for smearing white student's reputation

Feb. 2, 2026 at 4:55am

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In a case that received widespread media coverage in 2021, a Texas jury has ruled that the alleged 'hate crime' in which white middle schoolers were accused of forcing a Black classmate to drink their urine was a hoax. The jury found that the mother of the Black student and their attorney intentionally fabricated the story to raise their public profiles and rake in money through a GoFundMe campaign that raised nearly $120,000.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing problem of race hoaxes being promoted by activist groups and amplified by the media, often leading to public outrage, protests, and damage to innocent individuals. It raises questions about the media's role in verifying claims before providing blanket coverage, as well as the need for accountability when false narratives are pushed for personal gain.

The details

The jury determined that the mother, Summer Smith, and attorney, Kim Cole, cooked up the scheme to accuse Asher Vann, a white student, of organizing a 'brutal attack' on their son, SeMarion Humphrey. Court records show that Smith spent less than $1,000 of the GoFundMe funds on her son's schooling, with the rest going towards luxuries. A racially diverse jury, including four Black members, ruled that the whole incident was fabricated.

  • In March 2021, the alleged hate crime against SeMarion Humphrey was first reported.
  • In January 2026, a Texas district court judge ordered Smith and Cole to pay $3.2 million in damages to Vann for intentionally smearing him and tarnishing his future earning potential.
  • The civil trial took place in October 2025, where the jury determined that the incident was a hoax.

The players

SeMarion Humphrey

A Black middle school student who was at the center of the alleged hate crime.

Summer Smith

The mother of SeMarion Humphrey who, along with their attorney, fabricated the hate crime allegations.

Kim Cole

The attorney who represented SeMarion Humphrey and his mother, and who helped promote the false narrative of a hate crime.

Asher Vann

A white middle school student who was falsely accused of organizing the alleged hate crime against SeMarion Humphrey.

Benjamin Smith

The Texas district court judge who ordered Smith and Cole to pay $3.2 million in damages to Vann.

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What they’re saying

“I was getting death threats from thousands of people on social media. People leaked my address and my name. During one of the protests, they walked all the way to my house and threw bricks through my house.”

— Asher Vann

“It was scary. These were adults, and I was in middle school at the time. Full-grown adults were rushing my house and causing harm to it. What if I was home and they saw me? They could have ripped me from my home and beaten me. It was very scary.”

— Asher Vann

“Nothing was forced. Everything his mom claimed happened was portrayed in the wrong light.”

— Asher Vann

What’s next

The judge's ruling ordering Smith and Cole to pay $3.2 million in damages to Vann is expected to be appealed by the plaintiffs.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing problem of race hoaxes being promoted by activist groups and amplified by the media, often leading to public outrage, protests, and damage to innocent individuals. It raises questions about the media's role in verifying claims before providing blanket coverage, as well as the need for accountability when false narratives are pushed for personal gain.