Yahoo Movies Alex Jones trial - live: Jury begins deliberating in Infowars host’s second Sandy Hook hoax case
The jury is beginning deliberation in Alex Jones’ second defamation damages trial over his lies about the Sandy Hook massacre.
In closing arguments on Thursday, attorneys for the families of the Sandy Hook victims urged jurors to consider the enormous profits Jones had made from spreading conspiracy theories about the mass shooting when determining how much he should pay in damages.
“Every single one of these families were drowning in grief, and Alex Jones put his foot right on top of them,” attorney Christopher Mattei said.
Visitor numbers to Jones’ Infowars website spiked by more than 40 per cent after the December 2012 tragedy, Mr Mattei said.
He suggested a damages award of at least $550m, as Jones and Infowars had received an estimated 550 million views from their Sandy Hook hoax content on social media accounts from 2012 to 2018.
Meanwhile, Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis asked jurors to return a more measured verdict to help restore his client’s faith in “the system”.
Key Points
What’s at stake in Jones’ Connecticut Sandy Hook trial?
Jury retires to begin deliberations
9/11 and Sandy Hook were ‘best days’ of Jones’ life
Mother of six-year-old victim tells of unavoidable lies
Jones loses his temper on witness stand
Jury to determine damages owed to 15 plaintiffs
13:45 , Megan Sheets
The jury will convene at 9.30am today to determine the damages owed by Alex Jones to 15 plaintiffs in the Connecticut case.
In closing arguments on Thursday, Jones’ lawyer Norm Pattis urged jurors to return a measured verdict to help restore his client’s faith in “the system”.
Lawyers for the plaintiffs, however, offered up $550m as a reasonable number.
“This is their one chance, and your one chance — your one chance — to render a verdict on just how much devastation Alex Jones has caused,” attorney Christopher Mattei said.
It is unclear how long the jury will take to bring back two numbers - one for compensatory damages and another for punitive.
ICYMI: Alex Jones says he’s ‘done apologising’
13:01 , Bevan Hurley
Testifying early in the defamation trial, Alex Jones ranted that he was “done apologising” for spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“I’ve already said I’m sorry hundreds of times. And I’m done saying sorry,” he shouted across the courtroom.
Read the full report.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
ICYMI: Sandy Hook father recalls becoming top target for Alex Jones’s hoax lies
12:01 , Bevan Hurley
Robbie Parker, who lost his six-year-old daughter Emilie at Sandy Hook, testified during the trial about a brief statement he made to the media the day after the tragedy where he paid tribute to his little girl who “made the world a better place”.
It was the first time any of the victim’s families had spoken publicly, and made him a target for Alex Jones.
Over the following years, Mr Jones repeatedly mocked Mr Parker’s heartbreaking moment of intense grief on his far-right conspiracy show Infowars and branded him “a soap opera actor”.
Read Rachel Sharp’s full report.
Sandy Hook father recalls press briefing that made him top target of Alex Jones’ lies
WATCH: Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer says
10:01 , Bevan Hurley
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were “the best two days” of Alex Jones’s life, a lawyer for the victims of the school massacre has claimed.
In closing arguments on day 14 of Jones’s defamation trial, attorney Josh Koskoff told the jury that the Infowars host chased profits while encouraging his followers to harass grieving families.
Watch below.
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer claims
Jones’ lawyer says he is a ‘mad prophet’ like Atwood or Orwell
08:01 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis compared Alex Jones to literary greats Margaret Atwood and George Orwell during a bizarre closing argument.
He claimed that Mr Jones was a “mad prophet” who was trying to warn of a dystopian future.
Full story below.
Alex Jones’ lawyer compares him to The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood
WATCH: Judge tells off Alex Jones’s lawyer for ‘personal attacks’
06:01 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’s lawyer was told off by the judge in his defamation trial for insinuating the Sandy Hook victims’ are in it for the money.
“It doesn’t mean a thing here for the plaintiff’s lawyers if it doesn’t go ka-ching,” Norm Pattis said during his bizarre closing statement on Thursday.
Watch the video below.
Judge tells off Alex Jones’s lawyer for ‘personal attacks’ in closing statements
WATCH: Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer says
04:01 , Bevan Hurley
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were “the best two days” of Alex Jones’s life, a lawyer for the victims of the school massacre has claimed.
In closing arguments on day 14 of Jones’s defamation trial, attorney Josh Koskoff told the jury that the Infowars host chased profits while encouraging his followers to harass grieving families.
Watch below.
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer claims
ICYMI: ‘I’m done apologising’
02:01 , Bevan Hurley
Testifying early in the defamation trial, Alex Jones ranted that he was “done apologising” for spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“I’ve already said I’m sorry hundreds of times. And I’m done saying sorry,” he shouted across the courtroom.
Read the full report.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
Jones’ lawyer says he is a ‘mad prophet’ like Atwood or Orwell
01:01 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis compared Alex Jones to literary greats Margaret Atwood and George Orwell during a bizarre closing argument.
He claimed that Mr Jones was a “mad prophet” who was trying to warn of a dystopian future.
Full story below.
Alex Jones’ lawyer compares him to The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood
ICYMI: Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers
Friday 7 October 2022 00:30 , Bevan Hurley
Families of Sandy Hook victims testified of being harassed by Alex Jones supporters during his second defamation trial in Connecticut.
“I got sent pictures of dead kids, because I was told that as a crisis actor, I didn’t really know what a dead kid looked like, so this is what it should look like,” said Nicole Hockley, who lost her 6-year-old son Dylan in the mass shooting.
Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers at Alex Jones trial
How can you put a price on suffering?
Thursday 6 October 2022 23:30 , Bevan Hurley
The jury will begin deliberations on Thursday to determine how much Alex Jones must pay to the Sandy Hook families for spreading wild and defamatory conspiracy theories about the tragic 2012 shooting.
Here, the Associated Press explores their unenviable task.
Jurors must decide how much Newtown families suffering worth
Why Alex Jones is facing trial again over his Sandy Hook ‘hoax’ lies
Thursday 6 October 2022 22:30 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones is facing his second defamation two months after a judge ordered he pay nearly $50m for damages caused by his insistence that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax.
A judge ordered him to pay $49.3m to the parents of six-year-old Jesse Lewis, who was one of the 26 students killed in the 2012 shooting. Jones’ lawyer said he plans to appeal the ruling.
The Independent’s Graig Graziosi has a full recap on how we got to this point.
Why Alex Jones is facing trial again over his Sandy Hook ‘hoax’ lies
Jones’ lawyer says he is a ‘mad prophet’ like Atwood or Orwell
Thursday 6 October 2022 21:30 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis compared Alex Jones to literary greats Margaret Atwood and George Orwell during a bizarre closing argument.
He claimed that Mr Jones was a “mad prophet” who was trying to warn of a dystopian future.
Full story below.
Alex Jones’ lawyer compares him to The Handmaid’s Tale author Margaret Atwood
Jury begins deliberations
Thursday 6 October 2022 21:14 , Bevan Hurley
After lengthy instructions from Judge Barbara Bellis, the jury have begun their deliberations.
Judge Bellis thanked the three alternate jurors - substitutes in case of illness or absence - and allowed them to go home.
They were instructed not to read anything about the trial or discuss it with anyone in case they are required to come back.
Jurors should weigh ‘harassment and fear’ in determining damages award
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:54 , Bevan Hurley
The judge is explaining to the jury that they should consider the mental and emotional suffering the Sandy Hook victims suffered from the spread of lies about the mass shooting.
She tells them to consider the harassment and fear they experienced, the invasion of privacy and loss of ability to enjoy life’s pleasures, as the NYT’s Elizabeth Williamson explains.
It's your role alone, judge tells jury, to determine the amount that goes to each plaintiff. They should consider the harassment & fear of it, invasion of their privacy, their testimony about it. Use your own good judgment, experience, knowledge of human nature, events and motive
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 6, 2022
WATCH: Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer says
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:38 , Bevan Hurley
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were “the best two days” of Alex Jones’s life, a lawyer for the victims of the school massacre has claimed.
In closing arguments on day 14 of Jones’s defamation trial, attorney Josh Koskoff told the jury that the Infowars host chased profits while encouraging his followers to harass grieving families.
Watch below.
Sandy Hook and 9/11 were ‘best two days’ of Alex Jones’s life, victims’ lawyer claims
Judge Bellis begins delivering jury instructions
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:25 , Bevan Hurley
Judge Barbara Bellis and jury have returned to court, and the judge has begun final instructions.
She tells the jury they need only focus on a damages award, as the defamation case has already been proven by default.
Judge Bellis tells them they must decide solely on the evidence presented in court, and not allow sympathy or bias to enter into their thinking.
Watch: Judge tells off Alex Jones’s lawyer for ‘personal attacks’
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:12 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’s lawyer was told off by the judge in his defamation trial for insinuating the Sandy Hook victims’ are in it for the money.
“It doesn’t mean a thing here for the plaintiff’s lawyers if it doesn’t go ka-ching,” Norm Pattis said during his bizarre closing statement on Thursday.
Watch the video below.
Judge tells off Alex Jones’s lawyer for ‘personal attacks’ in closing statements
Discussions continue on jury instructions
Thursday 6 October 2022 20:06 , Bevan Hurley
After sending the jury on a break, Judge Barbara Bellis continues to discuss with attorneys the instructions she will provide to jurors before they begin deliberations.
The New York Times’ Elizabeth Williamson explains why this aspect of the trial is so crucial.
A major instruction poorly understood, could at worst potentially be cause for a mistrial=4 years of litigation down the drain. Or it could result in a greater or lesser financial verdict. So what can seem like semantics actually carry a lot of freight.
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 6, 2022
Victims’ attorney says Jones preyed on national unity after 9/11 and Sandy Hook
Thursday 6 October 2022 19:55 , Bevan Hurley
Josh Koskoff tells the jury that Mr Jones thrives on keeping people divided.
He says that there were two days when Americans were united: the September 11 terror attacks and the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“And you know what? For Alex Jones, those were the best two days of this life.”
Mr Koskoff’s voice broke at times as he described the impact that the Infowars host had made on the Connecticut community after Sandy Hook.
He asked the jury to “punish” Mr Jones by compensating the families.
He has now concluded his rebuttal.
‘He’s not a conspiracy theorist: he’s a liar'
Thursday 6 October 2022 19:27 , Bevan Hurley
Josh Koskoff tells the jury it is incorrect to describe Alex Jones as a conspiracy theorist.
“He’s not a conspiracy theorist, he’s a liar,” Mr Koskoff says.
“When it comes to the truth, Alex Jones is an arsonist. He sets fire to the truth.
“All of that hate, all of that fire, spreading in an instant.”
The jury is back in court for the afternoon session
Thursday 6 October 2022 19:10 , Bevan Hurley
The afternoon session has begun with victims’ attorney Josh Koskoff providing a rebuttal to Alex Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis.
“There was some darkness that came over the courtroom,” Mr Koskoff says of Mr Pattis’ closing argument.
He adds it’s “unfathomable” that a grown man would act like Jones had.
ICYMI: Sandy Hook father says he felt like he ‘failed’ his slain daughter
Thursday 6 October 2022 18:30 , Bevan Hurley
Last week, Robbie Parker took to the witness stand to testify that he believed he was “failing” six-year-old Emilie’s memory as Alex Jones lies continued to spread lies about her.
Read more about Mr Parker’s heartbreaking testimony in Rachel Sharp’s report.
Sandy Hook father says Alex Jones lies made him feel like he ‘failed’ his daughter
Judge tells off Norm Pattis
Thursday 6 October 2022 18:01 , Bevan Hurley
Judge Bellis has sent the jury out for an an hour lunch break.
Before excusing the attorneys, the exasperated judge tells Norm Pattis: “I’ve never heard the comments about the personal attacks along those lines.”
Court will resume at 2pm with plaintiffs’ rebuttal.
Alex Jones attorney ends his closing argument
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:57 , Bevan Hurley
As he ends his closing argument, Norm Pattis says a prayer and then acknowledges his client is not the nicest guy in the world.
“In the dark night of the soul when they come for you, you want a lawyer at your side. I’m proud to be at Alex’s side.”
Alex Jones a ‘mad prophet’
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:53 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis calls Jones a “mad prophet” who will never be silenced.
He’s now invoking George Orwell, Margaret Atwood and Aldous Huxley while claiming Jones is just trying to warn of a dystopian future.
“There have always been and creative geniuses in the world. And they speak loudly.”
Judge admonishes Alex Jones’ lawyer
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:48 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis is told off by the judge after insinuating the Sandy Hook victims’ are in it for the money.
“It doesn’t mean a thing here for the plaintiffs if it doesn’t go ka-ching,” Mr Pattis says.
Judge Bellis pauses proceedings and tells the attorney to “refrain” from further personal attacks.
Pattis: "It doesn’t mean a thing here for the plaintiffs if it doesn’t go ka-ching."
Judge Bellis interrupts him. Tells him it's "highly improper" to attack the plaintiffs like that.
"I don't want to hear it again," Bellis tells him.— Sebastian Murdock (@SebastianMurdoc) October 6, 2022
‘Veil of tears'
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:41 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis says the plaintiff’s case featured a “veil of tears” that was designed to make the jury dislike Alex Jones.
“But bias, sympathy and emotion don’t play a role in hearing damages.”
Equal justice 'for a despised human being’
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:38 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis tells the jury that there is nowhere he would rather be than fighting for “equal justice under the law for a despised human being”.
He described Jones’ histrionics on the witness stand as an “ugly display”.
Here is Rachel Sharp’s report from Jones’ testimony.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
Alex Jones’ lawyer odd closing arguments
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:27 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis just did a rather bizarre impersonation of his client Alex Jones while addressing the jury.
Adopting Jones’ husky voice, he said: “I care about smashing the globalists.”
His strange closing arguments do not appear to be convincing the jury.
I'm confused about how airing this broadcast is helpful. The jury is beginning to fidget. Jones is saying he would have gone on CNN with a Sandy Hook family member to defend himself. Reminder: this trial has lasted nearly a month, involves 8 victims' fams. Jones has not shown up
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 6, 2022
Alex Jones’ attorney begins closing arguments
Thursday 6 October 2022 17:15 , Bevan Hurley
After a 15 minute break, Norm Pattis has begun his closing arguments for the defense.
He is currently playing a 19 minute clip of the Infowars host.
‘Fair just and reasonable damages'
Thursday 6 October 2022 16:26 , Bevan Hurley
Chris Mattei has begun discussing damages that the jury should award.
He says Jones pushed the Sandy Hook hoax 550 million times on social media alone.
He instructs the jury to weigh up monetary damages by considering the number of family members (15) and the scale of the defamation.
“You reap what you sew.”
Jones praises Infowars followers who came to Connecticut court
Thursday 6 October 2022 16:15 , Bevan Hurley
The jury is shown clips of an Infowars cameraman Dan Bidondi harassing Sandy Hook families.
Jones laughs and says when he sends Bidondi out he calls it “release the Kraken”.
Chris Mattei asks how did Alex Jones penetrate society in a way that the Sandy Hooks victims couldn’t excape from?
By encouraging his audience to investigate his falsehoods for themselves.
He plays another clip where Jones praises his followers for putting up stickers at the courthouse in Connecticut just a few weeks ago.
Infowars publish bogus story claiming ‘FBI Says No One Killed At Sandy Hook'
Thursday 6 October 2022 16:05 , Bevan Hurley
Two years on from the tragedy, Infowars publishes a bogus article stating: ‘FBI Says No One Killed At Sandy Hook’.
The story drove huge a spike in traffic to Infowars from social media, Mr Mattei tells the jury.
“Every single one of these families were drowning in grief, and Alex Jones put his foot right on top of them.”
Infowars page views skyrocketed after Sandy Hook
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:59 , Bevan Hurley
Chris Mattei shows the jury a graphic of Infowars user numbers and page views between December 2012 when Sandy Hook occurred and January 2013.
“Look at the payoff, the spike,” he says.
“The engagement of the audience, that was a good thing for them.”
'Jones was readying to pounce’
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:50 , Bevan Hurley
Chris Mattei is playing an Infowars clip from just prior to the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
In it Jones states: “I am a precision guided heavy munition, coming in on top of you... so I get the barbed wire and everybody else comes in over me.”
Mattei said Jones deliberately targeted the Sandy Hook tragedy for his own commercial benefit.
“As these families were living out their daily lives, Alex Jones was readying to pounce.”
‘Everything’s a war'
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:43 , Bevan Hurley
Mr Mattei tells the jury that “everything’s a war” for Jones.
The jury is being shown Infowars clips beginning days after the 2012 shooting.
Jones repeats false claims that mass shootings from Aurora to Sandy Hook were false flags designed to lead to firearms being banned.
Mr Mattei says he is training people to hate their own families, condition them that they are the “enemy of the American people”.
Sandy Hook family attorney says Jones’ lies were driven by greed
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:31 , Bevan Hurley
“The more people see it, the more people come to the website, the more people come to the store,” says Chris Mattei.
Infowars 'set up for the purpose of spreading lies as far and wide as possible’
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:30 , Bevan Hurley
The Sandy Hook families’ attorney tells the jury that Infowars was set up “for the purpose of spreading lies as far and wide as possible”.Chris Mattei says in closing arguments that within hours of the Sandy Hook mass shootings in 2012, Alex Jones had begun spreading lies that the deaths were “synthetic”.
And that he is still doing it 10 years later, with an organisation that allows him to spread those lies “as far and wide as possible”.
Jury enters the courtroom - closing arguments begin
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:22 , Bevan Hurley
“At this point we are going to turn to the closing arguments of counsel,” Judge Barbara Bellis tells the jury.
Court resumes with more legal discussions
Thursday 6 October 2022 15:07 , Bevan Hurley
Judge Barbara Bellis has taken her seat in the Fairfield District Superior Court in Waterbury Connecticut.
Discussions are resuming on what language she will use when directing the jury what to consider when awarding damages against Alex Jones.
Newtown is done talking about Alex Jones
Thursday 6 October 2022 14:45 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’ defamation trial is taking place in Waterbury, Connecticut, jless than 20 miles from where 20 students and six teachers were killed at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown in 2012.
The New York Times spoke to residents of Newtown, who said they remain angry at the conspiracy theorist for spreading blatant falsehoods that the mass shooting was a hoax.
“I think that most of the people in this town would like to forget about him, to forget his name,” one resident told the Times.
Alex Jones defamation trial set to resume
Thursday 6 October 2022 14:11 , Bevan Hurley
Welcome to day 14 of the Alex Jones trial.
We’re expecting to hear closing arguments from both sets of lawyers this morning before the jury begins its deliberations.
After Mr Jones’ no-show yesterday, attorneys spent most of the afternoon discussing the language the judge will use to instruct the jury when it weighs up how much it will award the families of the Sandy Hook victims.
Court is due to resume at 10am EST.
ICYMI: ‘I’m done apologising’
Thursday 6 October 2022 13:03 , Bevan Hurley
Testifying early in the defamation trial, Alex Jones ranted that he was “done apologising” for spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“I’ve already said I’m sorry hundreds of times. And I’m done saying sorry,” he shouted across the courtroom.
Read the full report.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
ICYMI: Alex Jones ‘packed up his entourage’ and fled Connecticut on private jet
Thursday 6 October 2022 11:03 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones fled Connecticut by private jet as he was due to testify on Wednesday morning.
The Infowars host “packed up his entourage” and returned to Texas ahead of the resumption of his trial on Wednesday, according to New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson.
The Infowars founder had been due to testify for a second time on Wednesday. The jury is due to return on Thursday to hear closing arguments and begin deliberations.
ICYMI: Alex Jones will ‘never stop’ unless he’s held responsible
Thursday 6 October 2022 09:03 , Bevan Hurley
In opening arguments, lawyers for the Sandy Hook families described Alex Jones as a bully who would never stop spreading harmful lies until he’s held responsible.
“Unless you stand up to bullies, a bully will never stop,” attorney Chris Mattei said.
Read the full report here.
Sandy Hook families blast ‘bully’ Alex Jones as damages trial begins
ICYMI: Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers
Thursday 6 October 2022 07:03 , Bevan Hurley
Families of Sandy Hook victims testified of being harassed by Alex Jones supporters during his second defamation trial in Connecticut.
“I got sent pictures of dead kids, because I was told that as a crisis actor, I didn’t really know what a dead kid looked like, so this is what it should look like,” said Nicole Hockley, who lost her 6-year-old son Dylan in the mass shooting.
Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers at Alex Jones trial
How can you put a price on suffering?
Thursday 6 October 2022 05:03 , Bevan Hurley
The jury will begin deliberations on Thursday to determine how much Alex Jones must pay to the Sandy Hook families for spreading wild and defamatory conspiracy theories about the tragic 2012 shooting.
Here, the Associated Press explores their unenviable task.
Jurors must decide how much Newtown families suffering worth
ICYMI: Sandy Hook father says he felt like he ‘failed’ his slain daughter
Thursday 6 October 2022 03:03 , Bevan Hurley
Last week, Robbie Parker took to the witness stand to testify that he believed he was “failing” six-year-old Emilie’s memory as Alex Jones lies continued to spread lies about her.
Read more about Mr Parker’s heartbreaking testimony in Rachel Sharp’s report.
Sandy Hook father says Alex Jones lies made him feel like he ‘failed’ his daughter
ICYMI: ‘I’m done apologising'
Thursday 6 October 2022 01:03 , Bevan Hurley
Testifying early in the defamation trial, Alex Jones ranted that he was “done apologising” for spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting.
“I’ve already said I’m sorry hundreds of times. And I’m done saying sorry,” he shouted across the courtroom.
Read the full report.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
ICYMI: Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers
Thursday 6 October 2022 00:03 , Bevan Hurley
Families of Sandy Hook victims testified of being harassed by Alex Jones supporters during his second defamation trial in Connecticut.
“I got sent pictures of dead kids, because I was told that as a crisis actor, I didn’t really know what a dead kid looked like, so this is what it should look like,” said Nicole Hockley, who lost her 6-year-old son Dylan in the mass shooting.
Families testify of confrontations with Sandy Hook deniers at Alex Jones trial
ICYMI: Alex Jones ‘packed up his entourage’ and fled Connecticut on private jet
Wednesday 5 October 2022 23:03 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones fled Connecticut by private jet as he was due to testify on Wednesday morning.
The Infowars host “packed up his entourage” and returned to Texas ahead of the resumption of his trial on Wednesday, according to New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson.
The Infowars founder had been due to testify for a second time on Wednesday. The jury is due to return on Thursday to hear closing arguments and begin deliberations.
ICYMI: Alex Jones is getting hit where it hurts: his wallet
Wednesday 5 October 2022 22:02 , Bevan Hurley
Writing for Independent Voices, Hannah Selinger wrote that a Texas jury’s $50m damages award against Alex Jones may finally make a difference.
“If we have come to accept weaponized language in political discourse, perhaps we can view these consequences as a correction of course. No, you actually cannot say anything you want. Yes, truth is important. Yes, we will continue to demand decency in America.”
Alex Jones is getting where it hurts: his wallet. That might finally change things
ICYMI: John Oliver eviscerates Alex Jones over Sandy Hook defamation trial
Wednesday 5 October 2022 21:03 , Bevan Hurley
After a Texas jury awarded a Sandy Hook family nearly $50m in damages at his first defamation trial in August, late night host John Oliver took aim at the conspiracy theorist.
Read Tom Murray’s full report here.
John Oliver eviscerates Alex Jones over Sandy Hook defamation trial
ICYMI: Alex Jones will 'never stop' unless he's held responsible
Wednesday 5 October 2022 20:03 , Bevan Hurley
In opening arguments, lawyers for the Sandy Hook families described Alex Jones as a bully who would never stop spreading harmful lies until he’s held responsible.
“Unless you stand up to bullies, a bully will never stop,” attorney Chris Mattei said.
Read the full report here.
Sandy Hook families blast ‘bully’ Alex Jones as damages trial begins
ICYMI: Depp’s lawyer says ‘lies are not protected'
Wednesday 5 October 2022 19:03 , Bevan Hurley
Last week Johnny Depp’s attorney weighed in on Alex Jones’s latest defamation trial over the Sandy Hook massacre, saying that “lies are not protected” by the First Amendment.
Read Rachel Sharp’s report.
Johnny Depp’s lawyer weighs in on Alex Jones’s Sandy Hook defamation trial
How can you put a price on suffering?
Wednesday 5 October 2022 18:03 , Bevan Hurley
The jury will begin deliberations on Thursday to determine how much Alex Jones must pay to the Sandy Hook families for spreading wild and defamatory conspiracy theories about the tragic 2012 shooting.
Here, the Associated Press explores that unenviable task.
Jurors must decide how much Newtown families suffering worth
ICYMI: Sandy Hook father says he felt like he ‘failed’ his slain daughter
Wednesday 5 October 2022 17:03 , Bevan Hurley
Last week, Robbie Parker took to the witness stand to testify that he believed he was “failing” six-year-old Emilie’s memory as Alex Jones lies continued to spread lies about her.
Read more about Mr Parker’s heartbreaking testimony in Rachel Sharp’s report.
Sandy Hook father says Alex Jones lies made him feel like he ‘failed’ his daughter
Jones’ lawyer seeks directed verdict from judge, claims insufficient evidence
Wednesday 5 October 2022 16:12 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis is asking Judge Barbara Bellis to direct the jury to find that Sandy Hook families failed to prove their case.
Mr Pattis says an adverse finding for his client would have a chilling effect on free speech.
Pattis is saying the fams needed to show the actual products that Jones sells harmed them. They were harmed by his speech not his products, he argues. "If someone had gone out and bought a gross of these pills" and thrown them at a family member that might qualify, he's saying
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 5, 2022
Jury dismisses jury
Wednesday 5 October 2022 16:04 , Bevan Hurley
Judge Barbara Bellis thanks the jury for their attendance and dismisses them for the rest of the day.
They will return tomorrow to hear closing arguments before beginning their deliberations.
Once again, Alex Jones’ theatrics - first stating he will testify, before fleeing home to Texas by private jet - has disrupted the court schedule.
Jury played clips of Alex Jones saying Sandy Hook was staged
Wednesday 5 October 2022 16:01 , Bevan Hurley
The jury is being played clips of Alex Jones stating that the Sandy Hook mass shooting was staged.
The deaths of 26 students and teachers “was completely fake, synthetic, with actors”, Mr Jones states in the Infowars clip.
In another video from this week, Mr Jones states that “the trial is rigged and the whole thing is staged”.
Judge informs jury that the evidence will wrap up today
Wednesday 5 October 2022 15:38 , Bevan Hurley
After lengthy discussions between the lawyers, the jury has entered the courtroom.
Judge Barbara Bellis informed the jury that Alex Jones would not be taking the witness stand, and evidence would wrap up this morning.
They will then be sent home, and will begin deliberations on Thursday.
Alex Jones’ lawyer says he has chosen to ‘boycott’ trial as hearing resumes
Wednesday 5 October 2022 15:14 , Bevan Hurley
Norm Pattis, Alex Jones’ lawyer, has told the judge his client has “chosen to boycott” the trial.
The NYT’s Elizabeth Williamson is reporting from the courtroom in Waterbury Connecticut as the hearing resumed on Wednesday.
She reports that Judge Bellis “is not having any of that”, and is working out what to tell the jury about Mr Jones’ absence.
Pattis, Jones' lawyer wants to instruct the jury that Jones is "chosen to boycott" the trial bc, in essence, he can't say what he wants bc it's against the rules. Judge not having any of that, rightly saying she can't address his thought process.
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 5, 2022
Alex Jones ‘packed up his entourage’ and fled Connecticut on private jet
Wednesday 5 October 2022 15:07 , Bevan Hurley
Alex Jones has left Connecticut, according to New York Times journalist Elizabeth Williamson.
The Infowars founder had been due to testify for a second time on Wednesday, but that looks unlikely now after he “fled on a private jet”.
Good morning from 🌧️Waterbury, CT for the Alex Jones /Sandy Hook damages trial. Rain and at least one big❄️today: defendant packed up his entourage and fled on a private jet. So not looking likely he'll testify or yell on the courthouse steps today, which we wouldn't cover anyway
— Elizabeth Williamson (@NYTLiz) October 5, 2022
‘I’m done apologising’
Wednesday 5 October 2022 14:36 , Bevan Hurley
As we await confirmation of whether Alex Jones will take the witness stand for a second time in his defamation trial this morning, here’s a recap of his chaotic earlier appearance in the trial.
The conspiracy theorist shouted he was “done apologising” to parents of the Sandy Hook victims for spreading baseless claims that the mass shooting was a false flag operation.
Rachel Sharp has the full story.
Alex Jones shouts ‘I’m done apologising’ at Sandy Hook parents crying in court
Why Alex Jones is facing trial again over his Sandy Hook ‘hoax’ lies – and what it could cost him
Wednesday 5 October 2022 14:11 , Bevan Hurley
The Independent’s Graig Graziosi has a full recap on why the Infowars founder is facing a second defamation trial.
Why Alex Jones is facing trial again over his Sandy Hook ‘hoax’ lies
Will Jones testify today?
Wednesday 5 October 2022 13:00 , Megan Sheets
Alex Jones’ attorney on Tuesday revealed he is not likely to testify again in his Sandy Hook defamation trial - shortly after the conspiracy theorist said he may invoke the 5th Amendment to avoid going to jail.
The Infowars founder ranted to reporters outside the court in Connecticut that he was “strongly considering” pleading the fifth as he baselessly claimed that the judge wants to throw him in jail for telling the truth.
“Not because I’m guilty, but because she [the judge] says if I tell the truth, she’ll put me in the Waterbury jail for six months. That’s what she can do,” he blustered.
“I tell the judge and all the rest of the New World Order: I am innocent, and you are guilty of tyranny.”
After the jury was sent home, Jones’ attorney Norm Pattis informed Judge Barbara Bellis not to expect his testimony on Wednesday.
The Independent’s Bevan Hurley has more:
Alex Jones’ attorney says he will not testify again in Sandy Hook trial
WATCH: Alex Jones launches fresh rant outside the courthouse
Wednesday 5 October 2022 12:00 , Megan Sheets
What’s at stake for Jones?
Wednesday 5 October 2022 09:00 , Megan Sheets
The defamation trial currently in its fourth week in Connecticut was brought by nine plaintiffs - eight relatives of Sandy Hook victims and one former FBI agent who responded to the shooting.
Here’s a recap of what’s at stake for the Infowars host:
Why Alex Jones is facing trial again over his Sandy Hook ‘hoax’ lies
Sandy Hook mother says hoaxers ‘took my identity’
Wednesday 5 October 2022 05:01 , Megan Sheets
Testifying on Tuesday, mother Francine Wheeler told the court how she felt her identity was stripped away by trolls pushing Jones’ lies about Sandy Hook.
Ms Wheeler, whose six-year-old son Ben was killed in the shooting, described how her name became synonymous with the lies - overshadowing both her foundation in his honour, Ben’s Lighthouse, and her performance career.
“It’s ironic because I spent my adult career performing. I loved my life in New York and even in Newtown,” she said.
“They took that from me and doctored and edited 20 years of my work. They took that from me.
“They took my identity, they took my husband’s identity, they took my surviving son’s identity.”
Parents of seven-year-old victim Daniel Barden tell of life-altering harassment
Wednesday 5 October 2022 02:00 , Megan Sheets
The parents of seven-year-old Sandy Hook victim Daniel Barden both testified on Tuesday about how their lives were - and continue to be - upended by Jones’ lies.
Jackie Barden began to choke up as she described Daniel - who would’ve turned 17 last month - as a very compassionate person who was always putting others ahead of himself.
After his death, she told of receiving letters from hoaxers saying they urinated on Daniel’s grave and threatening to dig it up to prove the shooting was a hoax.
Mark Barden said listening to his wife’s testimony earlier in the day was “excruciating” and pointed out that Jones was not in the courtroom to hear it - instead staying outside to hold a press conference.
Mr Barden said many of the other parents who have already testified captured his feelings well.
“I can so relate to Robbie Parker saying my compass is spinning. Or David Wheeler saying it felt like he was underwater, disoriented. I get it, we were all there,” he said.
Mr Barden concluded his testimony by telling how hoaxers “tarnished” the memory of his son.
“Our little home movies, our thoughts and our memories, have all been compromised and taken away from us. Tarnished with toxic hate and lies and danger.”
He fought tears as he described how the harassment changed him, making him constantly paranoid no matter where he goes.
“I’m not the same person,” he said.
ICYMI: Jones says he may plead the fifth
Wednesday 5 October 2022 00:00 , Megan Sheets
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones on Tuesday said he may invoke the 5th Amendment if called back to the stand at his Sandy Hook defamation trial to avoid going to jail.
The Infowars founder ranted to reporters outside the court in Connecticut that he was “strongly considering” pleading the fifth as he baselessly claimed that the judge wants to throw him in jail for telling the truth.
“Not because I’m guilty, but because she [the judge] says if I tell the truth, she’ll put me in the Waterbury jail for six months. That’s what she can do,” he blustered.
“I tell the judge and all the rest of the New World Order: I am innocent, and you are guilty of tyranny.”
The Independent’s Bevan Hurley has more:
Alex Jones’ attorney says he will not testify again in Sandy Hook trial
WATCH: Fire alarm interrupts court
Tuesday 4 October 2022 23:00 , Bevan Hurley
Tuesday’s proceedings were unexpectedly interrupted after lunch when a fire alarm began blaring through the courtroom.
The cause of the alarm - which forced a brief evacuation - has not been disclosed.
Watch the startling moment:
