(Another) Alex Jones Verdict

A Connecticut jury has ordered Alex Jones, radio host and founder of Infowars, to pay $965M in compensatory damages to eight families of victims killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting and to an FBI agent who was among the first responders. The Sandy Hook massacre is the deadliest mass shooting at an elementary school in US history, with 26 people dead. Jones had claimed the attack was a hoax. Yesterday's judgment is the second against Jones, whose claims have spurred conspiracy theorists to carry out harassment campaigns against victims' families. It follows nearly $50M in damages a Texas jury in August awarded to the parents of a slain 6-year-old. Jones eventually recanted his claims during a 2019 deposition, blaming his theories on a bout of psychosis. Jones faces a third trial in December in Texas. It is unclear how he will pay for the total damages; Infowars and two other companies owned by Jones filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this year.