Jury Awards $7.5 Million to PJI Clients in Landmark First Amendment Retaliation Case Against Texas School District

January 21, 2026

Jury Awards $7.5 Million to PJI Clients in Landmark First Amendment

Retaliation Case Against Texas School District

Verdict delivers a major victory for parental rights, student rights, and free speech in public

schools

WACO, Texas - A federal jury in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas,

Waco Division, unanimously found in favor of Pacific Justice Institute clients Monica Johnson,

Clifford Jones, Brandolyn Jones, Praiyer Jones, and Addai Jones in their First Amendment

retaliation case against Defendants Marlin Independent School District, former Marlin ISD

Superintendent Darryl Henson, and Marlin ISD Chief of Police John Simmons.

The jury awarded the five plaintiffs a total of $7,546,465 in damages, including $4,008,199 in

punitive damages against Dr. Henson and Chief Simmons. The verdict followed a week-long

trial and represents a sweeping repudiation of unlawful retaliation by school officials against

parents and students who spoke out.

Brandolyn and Clifford Jones, parents of Praiyer and Addai Jones, expressed gratitude following

the verdict.

"We are extremely grateful for the jury verdict. Justice could not have been served without God,

our attorney Janelle Davis, and Pacific Justice Institute standing up for our children and our

parental rights," the Joneses said. "No parent or student in Texas should ever experience what we

did. God loves justice and truth, and justice prevailed."

Monica Johnson emphasized the broader implications of the case for school accountability.

"Retaliation for the exercise of constitutional and parental rights is against school policy, and

anyone who violates it should be held accountable," Johnson said.

The plaintiffs' claims were brought under 42 U.S.C. § 1983, the federal civil rights statute that

allows individuals to sue government officials who violate constitutional rights.

Their claims centered on violations of the First Amendmentand the Due Process Clause of the

Fourteenth Amendment. Addai Jones also brought claims under Section 504 of the

Rehabilitation Act, which prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities in

federally funded programs.

The case stems from Marlin ISD's cancellation of the Class of 2023 graduation just three days

before it was scheduled to take place. On May 22, 2023, Dr. Henson claimed only five seniorswere

eligible to graduate and announced that the ceremony scheduled for May 25 would be

postponed. Graduation requirements in Texas are governed by the Texas Education Code.

That decision drew national attention and community backlash.

When Mr. and Mrs. Jones and their son publicly criticized the decision, and when Ms. Johnson

created a petition calling for Dr. Henson's removal, school officials began engaging in retaliatory

conduct against the Jones and Johnson families.

Those retaliatory actions included removing Ms. Johnson from a public meeting without cause,

issuing a criminal trespass warning barring her from all Marlin ISD property for one year,

lowering Praiyer's and Addai's grades after the school year had ended, and refusing to allow Ms.

Johnson's daughter, Class of 2023 valedictorian Me'Kia Mouling to deliver her valedictorian

speech at the postponed graduation. School officials also changed Me'Kia's class rank and

repeatedly taunted Ms. Johnson about it during a public meeting.

Both Ms. Johnson and Mrs. Jones were served "cease and desist" letters threatening litigation if

they continued speaking publicly about their experiences with Dr. Henson and Marlin ISD,

raising core concerns about the protection of political speech and public criticism of government

officials.

When Ms. Johnson and the Jones family filed grievances regarding these actions, they were

forced to present those grievances directly to Dr. Henson for investigation and resolution.

At trial, jurors heard testimony confirming that nearly the entire senior class had been eligible to

graduate on time, contradicting assertions that only five students met graduation requirements.

The jury found in favor of the plaintiffs on all claims, awarding nominal and compensatory

damages against Marlin ISD, Dr. Henson, and Chief Simmons, along with punitive damages of

$254,762 against Chief Simmons and $3,753,437 against Dr. Henson.

"This verdict sends a clear message that public officials cannot use their authority to silence

parents or punish students for speaking out," said Janelle Davis, lead attorney for Pacific Justice

Institute. "School districts are entrusted with educating children, not intimidating families who

demand accountability. The Constitution protects the right to challenge government misconduct,

and this jury affirmed that principle."

PJI Founder and President Brad Dacus praised the verdict as a major step forward for

constitutional rights in public education.

"This is a powerful victory for parents and students across America," Dacus said. "When school

officials abuse their power to retaliate against families for speaking the truth, they undermine the

very foundations of our democracy. This jury stood up for the First Amendment and reminded

every school district that the Constitution is not optional."The jury's decision reinforces that

public school officials are not above the law and will be held

accountable when they violate the constitutional rights of parents and students.

Learn more about Pacific Justice Institute's work defending civil liberties and

constitutional rights. Visit www.pji.org.

To help us continue providing legal defense to those facing persecution for their beliefs, we

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