Far-right conspiracy theorist and founder of InfoWars, Alex Jones has been found liable for damages in the latest defamation suit brought by the families of the victims in the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012. This means Jones is guilty in all four cases brought against him.
A judge in Connecticut ruled on Monday that Jones was guilty by default because he refused a court order to turn over documents, including financial records, for deposition in the case, The New York Times reported.
The families of ten victims in the massacre, sued Jones for defamation in 2019 after he suggested on his program that the assault, which left 26 people dead, was a “hoax”
Lawyers for the families argued in court that Jones and his companies, which include InfoWars and Free Speech Systems, failed to follow a court order requiring they overturn documents that show whether Jones and his companies profited from spreading conspiracy theories about the shooting, the Associated Press reported.
Jones’ lawyers denied violating court rules and requested Judge Barbara Bellis be removed from the case, claiming she had not been impartial in the matter, the AP reported.
A Texas judge issued similar rulings against Jones in three defamation lawsuits brought by Sandy Hook families in that state in September. Jones was found liable for damages after failing to turnover documents.
A jury will now decide how much Jones should have to pay the families of the victims in damages and legal fees, in both states.
