Jenna Ryan Appealed Defamation Lawsuit Dismissal
The former Capitol rioter is challenging a court's decision to dismiss her defamation claims against a news outlet.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Sex Crimes
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Jenna Ryan has filed an appeal in Fort Worth's Second Court of Appeals following the dismissal of her defamation lawsuit against Candace Evans and Ebby Halliday Companies. The original case, filed in Denton, was dismissed in August.
Why it matters
The legal battle centers on Ryan's allegations that a news website defamed her and damaged her real estate business through search engine optimization. The court previously ordered Ryan to pay significant legal costs and sanctions.
A judge in the 431st Judicial District Court of Denton ordered Ryan to pay $67,000 in attorney fees and $6,000 in sanctions following the lawsuit dismissal. The case is currently active in the Second Court of Appeals.
The players
Jenna Ryan
She is a real estate professional who received a pardon from President Donald Trump on January 20 after serving time for her participation in the Jan. 6 Capitol storming.
Candace Evans
She is the operator of the news website CandysDirt.com that faces the defamation allegations.
Ebby Halliday Companies
This is a real estate firm headquartered in Plano that is named as a defendant in the defamation lawsuit.
The details
Ryan, who served two months in federal prison for her role in the Jan. 6 Capitol storming before being pardoned, is representing herself pro se in this appeal. She claims the trial court improperly dismissed her case under the Texas Anti-SLAPP law after she alleged the defendants labeled her a terrorist.
Timeline
The lawsuit was initially filed in April 2026.
A judge dismissed the lawsuit in August 2026.
Candace Evans must file an appellate brief by September 24, 2026.
Ebby Halliday Companies must file an appellate brief by October 26, 2026.
Legal Context
This case tests the scope of the Texas Anti-SLAPP law, which is designed to prevent Strategic Lawsuits Against Public Participation from stifling free speech. Courts across the state frequently utilize this statute to dismiss defamation claims that involve public interest matters.
The ongoing litigation highlights the high financial stakes for plaintiffs who file unsuccessful defamation suits in Texas courts. Local business owners may observe the procedural outcomes to better understand how anti-SLAPP statutes affect their own ability to litigate against media criticism.
The takeaway
This case serves as a warning about the heavy financial penalties that can arise from losing litigation protected by state speech statutes. It underscores the difficulty of self-representing in complex appellate matters involving high-stakes defamation claims.
Further reading
For more on the local legal landscape, visit Fort Worth Sex Crimes.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Real Deal New York.
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