Alex Jones declares win in libel lawsuit despite losing over $4 million
A second verdict has been handed down in the trial of Infowars founder and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. The Austin, Texas jury ruled Thursday that he must pay more than $4 million in damages to the parents of six-year-old Jesse Lewis who was killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook massacre. Friday they ordered Jones to pay an additional $45.2 million in punitive damages.
Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis filed a defamation lawsuit against Jones over his allegation that the school shooting, which killed 20 children and six adults, was fraudulent.
Both gave passionate testimony as they sat on the witness stand about how Jones’s lies – broadcast to millions – affected their lives and prolonged their grief.
Jones now faces another lawsuit in Texas, filed by the parents of another victim, and another lawsuit in Connecticut for the families of eight of the other victims.
During the trial, it was found that his own lawyer had mistakenly shared the entire contents of Jones’ phone with the opposition legal team, who were asked to provide them to the Jan. 6 committee.
Watch: Jury awards parents of Sandy Hook victim $45.2 million in damages
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 23:20
Jones lawyer appeals against amount
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 23:01
Verdict: Jones told to pay additional $45.2 million in punitive damages
The jury has ordered Alex Jones to pay an additional $45.2 million in punitive damages on top of the $4.1 million in compensatory damages they ordered him yesterday.
Jones and his company now owe a total of $49.1 million.
Alex Jones ordered to pay additional $45.2 million in punitive damages by Texas jury
Alex Jones has been ordered by a Texas jury to pay $45.2 million in punitive damages to the family of a Sandy Hook victim, in addition to the $4.11 million he already has to pay them in damages.
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 22:50
Verdict coming soon
A decision on the punitive damages is expected soon.
The plaintiffs have returned to the courtroom.
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 22:31
Forgiveness and Responsibility
Scarlett Lewis, the mother of six-year-old Jesse Lewis who died in Sandy Hook, was the co-plaintiff with Jesse’s father Neil Heslin. Following Thursday’s damages verdict, she had this to say to Alex Jones on Twitter:
Alex Jones, I forgive you. But today we held you accountable.
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 22:27
Economist: Alex Jones, his company worth up to $270 million
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his company Free Speech Systems are worth up to $270 million. Shootings at Hook Elementary School.
The same jury ordered Jones to pay Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis $4.1 million in compensation for defamation. Punitive damages are being determined as a separate issue, and the parents want to punish Jones for a decade of bogus hoax claims that they believe have led to a decade of trauma and abuse by the Infowars host’s followers.
Economist: Alex Jones, his company worth up to $270 million
An economist says conspiracy theorist Alex Jones and his company Free Speech Systems are worth up to $270 million
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 22:00
‘At one point I thought he was going to yell or sing ‘lock her up’
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 21:30
Typically bombastic Jones makes for complicated court
Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones endured the first of several trials against him that could decimate his personal fortune and media empire in his usual way: loudly, aggressively, and talking about conspiracies both in and out of court.
It’s common practice for Jones’ eerie, barrel-chested voice. But by courtroom standards, his erratic and sometimes disrespectful behavior is unusual — and potentially complicated for the legal process.
Typically bombastic Alex Jones makes for complicated court
Far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones swept through the first trial that could decimate his personal fortune and media empire in his usual way: loudly, aggressively, and talking about conspiracies both in and out of court.
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 21:10
Vote: Let’s face it – real justice was not served in the Alex Jones trial
The parents who sued Jones — whose son, Jesse, was murdered in Sandy Hook — had demanded $150 million in damages. That was not an aimless number born of sheer greed. And now Jones is only paying $4.1 million, which will not have the desired effect at all.
Let’s face it – real justice was not served in the Alex Jones trial
The parents who sued Jones — whose son, Jesse, was murdered in Sandy Hook — had demanded $150 million in damages. That was not an aimless number born of sheer greed. And now Jones is only paying $4.1 million, which won’t have the desired effect at all
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 8:45 PM
Dan Solomon from Texas Monthly has more information about what to expect from the criminal proceedings in this part of the process.
The $750,000 limit on punitive damages is real, but plaintiffs’ attorney Mark Bankston believes they can argue it doesn’t apply in this case and are ready to challenge the limit’s constitutionality. fight at the state supreme court.
Oliver O’ConnellAugust 5, 2022 20:30
