A Connecticut appeals court has largely upheld a nearly $1.3 billion defamation verdict against Alex Jones, the founder of Infowars, for spreading falsehoods about the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.
The three-judge panel’s ruling, issued Friday, affirmed the majority of the jury’s 2022 decision, which awarded $965 million in damages to the families of the shooting victims. The judges ruled that the damages were justified given the severe emotional distress caused by Jones’ repeated claims that the shooting was a hoax staged by actors as part of a government conspiracy.
Judges Overturn Portion of Verdict
While most of the damages were upheld, the panel found fault with $150 million awarded under Connecticut’s unfair trade practices law. The court ruled that this portion of the verdict did not align with the law’s intent and ordered it to be dismissed. However, the ruling did not impact the $965 million award for emotional distress, which was the crux of the case.
False Claims and Years of Harm
For years, Jones perpetuated conspiracy theories that the shooting, which claimed the lives of 20 children and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut, was a staged event. Jones later admitted that the massacre occurred but only after years of profiting from his claims, which included selling merchandise and survival gear through his Infowars platform.
Families of the victims testified during the trial about the harassment and threats they endured from Jones’ followers, compounding their grief.
Alinor Sterling, an attorney representing the families, lauded the court’s decision. “The jury’s $965 million rebuke of Jones will stand, and the families have taken another significant step toward justice,” Sterling said.
Jones’ Legal Battles Continue
Jones’ attorney, Norm Pattis, expressed disappointment in the ruling and criticized the trial process. He plans to appeal the decision to the Connecticut Supreme Court, maintaining that the verdict unfairly attributed the families’ anguish to Jones and overstated his financial gains from the conspiracy theories.
Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, filed for bankruptcy in 2022 following the Connecticut verdict and a similar $49 million judgment in Texas.
Infowars Bankruptcy and Unusual Developments
Amid the bankruptcy proceedings, a surprising bidder emerged. The Onion, a satirical news site, announced plans to purchase Infowars in a bankruptcy auction. However, the sale is being contested by a party connected to Jones. A bankruptcy judge is set to rule on the matter during a court hearing in Houston on Monday.
