Alex Jones Ordered To Pay Nearly $1 Billion In Damages To Sandy Hook Families – Update

deadline.com:

2ND UPDATE, 12:50 PM: Parents of Sandy Hook shooting victims broke down in tears today as a jury in Waterbury, CT, awarded hundreds of millions of dollars in damages for defamation, slander and emotional distress against Infowars founder Alex Jones, who has claimed the massacre was a hoax.The dollar amounts — which closed in on $1 billion total — were different for each plaintiff and also include attorneys’ fees and other compensatory damages.

Jones opted against appearing in court today.The jury’s damages determination were only the latest against Jones, whose online show and media company regularly traffics in conspiracy theories yet has drawn a substantial audience.

Family members have described facing death threats and having the graves of their children defaced, triggered by Jones’ contention that the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting massacre, in which 26 people were murdered, including 20 children, was a “false flag” operation.

The damages amount was far higher than that of a Texas jury’s determination in August, which slapped Jones with $45.2 million in punitive damages.