YouTuber Karl Jobst recently found himself in a challenging situation, having lost over $350,000 in a defamation lawsuit filed by the renowned Donkey Kong champion Billy Mitchell. This legal dispute has its roots in a video Jobst released in 2020, where he scrutinized Mitchell’s records recognized by Guinness World Records.
The lawsuit gained notoriety after a controversial remark in 2021, where Jobst appeared to connect the tragic suicide of fellow YouTuber Apollo Legend to the legal matters initiated by Mitchell. For context, Apollo Legend was a prominent figure in the video game speedrunning community who passed away in 2020.
Verdict Announcement and Legal Repercussions
The verdict was rendered on March 31, 2025, following a trial held in September 2024. The court found in favor of Billy Mitchell, ruling that Jobst’s statements were defamatory. Consequently, Jobst was ordered to pay $350,000, along with an additional $34,668.50 in interest, highlighting the serious consequences of the allegations.
In his immediate reaction to the court’s decision, Jobst took to social media, indicating that he would be evaluating his future steps now that the judge had recognized Billy Mitchell as a “credible witness.”
“I lost. The judge found Billy to be a credible witness and believed his entire testimony. From that point on, unfortunately, there was really nothing that could have saved me. I will now obviously consider my options. I know many of you will be upset with this and I am sorry for that. Thank you again for all the support I have received and I will endeavor to work as hard as I can to repay all that you are owed.”
Judge’s Remarks on the Defamation Case
In reviewing the case, Judge Ken Barlow was critical of Jobst’s actions, stating that he acted “reckless”in making allegations against Mitchell. The Brisbane Times reports that the judge concluded Jobst’s video had inflicted significant harm on Mitchell’s reputation.
In his judgment, Judge Barlow noted:
“He was reckless in making the allegations. His assertions were based on a fallacy, that Apollo Legend had paid a large sum of money to Mr. Mitchell. That was simply wrong, and he had no reasonable basis for asserting it.”
As of now, Billy Mitchell has not publicly responded to the outcome of the trial, leaving many in the community eager for his perspective.