Prank Goes Too Far: Man Found Not Guilty After Influencer Suffers Severe Injuries
In a case that has sparked intense debate about the boundaries of online content creation, a Florida man was found not guilty yesterday of aggravated assault charges stemming from a prank that left a social media influencer with severe physical injuries. The verdict, delivered after just four hours of jury deliberation, has sent shockwaves through the creator community and reignited discussions about accountability in the often-dangerous world of viral stunts.
The defendant, 24-year-old Kyle Morrison, had been facing up to five years in prison after a video prank went catastrophically wrong. According to court testimony, Morrison and his friends had staged a fake “home invasion” as a scare tactic for influencer Jake “Jax” Thompson, who was livestreaming from an Airbnb rental. However, the plan unraveled when Thompson, genuinely fearing for his life, attempted to escape through a second-story window. He fell, fracturing his spine and suffering a traumatic brain injury that has left him with permanent mobility issues.
Throughout the trial, Morrison’s defense hinged on the argument of intent versus negligence. “This was a tragic accident,” his attorney stated in closing arguments. “It was never Mr. Morrison’s intent to cause bodily harm. It was a poorly planned prank, not a criminal act.” The defense successfully argued that while the stunt was in poor taste, it lacked the malice required for a criminal conviction.
The prosecution, however, painted a different picture, accusing Morrison of “gross recklessness” for the sake of engagement. They argued that the need for “good content” had overridden basic human decency, leading to a predictable and preventable disaster.
Despite the emotional testimony, the jury sided with the defense. As Morrison was acquitted, he expressed relief but avoided the media, stating only that he was “heartbroken” over his friend’s condition.
For the full, unedited bodycam footage of the arrest and the controversial livestream itself, please check the link in the first comment below.
