Alex Jones trial - live: Jury begins deliberating in Infowars host’s second Sandy Hook hoax case
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The jury has finished its first full day of deliberation in Alex Jones’ second defamation damages trial over his lies about the Sandy Hook massacre.
Jurors convened to weigh the case on Friday after closing arguments the day before, where attorneys for the families of the Sandy Hook victims urged them 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”.
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Alex Jones’ lawyer says he has chosen to ‘boycott’ trial as hearing resumes
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.
Judge informs jury that the evidence will wrap up today
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.
Jury played clips of Alex Jones saying Sandy Hook was staged
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”.
Jury dismisses jury
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.
Jones’ lawyer seeks directed verdict from judge, claims insufficient evidence
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.
ICYMI: Sandy Hook father says he felt like he ‘failed’ his slain daughter
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
How can you put a price on suffering?
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
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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
ICYMI: Alex Jones will 'never stop' unless he's held responsible
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: John Oliver eviscerates Alex Jones over Sandy Hook defamation trial
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.
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