CNN Business
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A Connecticut jury decided Wednesday that far-right talk show host Alex Jones should pay $965 million in damages to eight families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims and a first responder, ending the term Weeks of harrowing trial showing grievous injuries caused through conspiracy theorists’ groin.
With its harsh ruling, the decision could shrink or even destroy Jones’ Infowars media empire, which has been at the center of major conspiracy theories since the administration of former President George W. accepted by the President.
Plaintiffs and their lawyers were visibly emotional as the jury’s decision was read out. The decision marks a pivotal moment in a years-long process that began in 2018, when the families took legal action against Jones and his company Free Speech Systems, the parent company of fringe media group Infowars.
In the wake of the 2012 mass shooting that killed 26 people, Jones repeatedly said without basis that the incident was staged and that family members and first responders were “crisis actors.” Throughout the trial, plaintiffs used pointed language to describe how the lies led to relentless harassment against them and exacerbated the emotional pain of losing a loved one.
Plaintiffs in the trial included eight family members of students and employees, as well as an FBI agent who responded to the scene. All three cases were condensed into the first instance.
Jones did not accept sentencing in court. When the jury’s decision was read out in court, he was broadcasting live, mocking the decision on his Infowars show and using it for fundraising.
It’s unclear when or how much money plaintiffs will ultimately see. Jones had said he would appeal the decision, saying on Wednesday’s broadcast that there was “no money” to pay the huge jury award to the plaintiff.
The plaintiff’s attorney, Christopher Mattei, had urged jurors to award at least $5 billion for permanently damaging his client’s life. He said the number would represent the more than 550 million online impressions Jones’ Sandy Hook Lies allegedly received online.
“You could say it’s astronomical. Yes,” Mattai said. “That’s exactly what Alex Jones has set for himself. That’s what he built. He built a lie machine that pushes these things out. You sow yourselves and you’ll get your beans.”
After the verdict was reached, Mattai praised the jurors.
“The jury’s verdict is a testament to the courage, staunch affirmation, that well-meaning men, committed to the truth and mindful of their duty to their fellow men, can come together to protect the innocent, expose lies disguised as truth, and correct a historic wrong,” Ma Tai told reporters outside the courthouse.
The Connecticut decision comes two months after a separate jury in Texas decided that Jones and his company should award two Sandy Hook parents who are suing the state for nearly $50 million. Later this month, the judge in the case will consider whether to reduce the punitive damages awarded under Texas law.
While Jones initially lied about the 2012 shooting, he later admitted the massacre took place as he faced multiple lawsuits. But his failure to comply with court orders during the discovery process in the Connecticut and Texas lawsuits has resulted in families in each state winning default judgments against him.
In the latest trial, the families of Sandy Hook victims gave emotional testimony, telling jurors in haunting fashion how Jones’ lies about the shooting changed their lives forever and exacerbated the loss of a loved one. pain.
Jones was cross-examined by plaintiffs’ lawyers but chose not to testify in his defense as planned, in an attempt to portray himself as the victim of an elaborate “deep state” conspiracy against him.
In one particularly explosive moment in the trial, Jones tangled with one of the plaintiffs’ attorneys, accusing him of “chasing an ambulance” before lashing out at “liberals” in court.
The judge overseeing the case admonished Jones several times during his testimony, even warning him at one point that he could be held in contempt of court if he violated her rules in the future.
Jones slammed the judicial process, even admitting in court that he had called it “kangaroo court” and called the judges “tyrants”. He has said he intends to appeal.
This story has been updated with more details.