Supreme Court Denies Jones’ $1.4B Sandy Hook Judgment Appeal

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Supreme Court Denies Jones’ $1.4B Sandy Hook Judgment Appeal

The Supreme Court recently turned down an appeal from conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, maintaining a significant $1.4 billion ruling against him. This judgment stems from Jones’ claims regarding the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in 2012, where he described the tragic event as orchestrated by crisis actors.

Background of the Case

The Sandy Hook shooting resulted in the deaths of 20 first graders and six educators in Newtown, Connecticut. In response to Jones’ remarks, families of the victims filed lawsuits accusing him of defamation and infliction of emotional distress.

Supreme Court Decision

The justices did not comment on their decision and did not solicit responses from the victims’ families concerning Jones’ appeal. This dismissal upholds a previous ruling where a judge found Jones liable without conducting a full trial. Jones argued that he should have been given the opportunity to contest the allegations formally.

Judicial Proceedings

In late 2021, a judge issued a rare default ruling against Jones due to his consistent failure to comply with court orders, including turning over evidence. Subsequently, a jury awarded a total of $964 million in damages, which later increased with an additional $473 million in punitive damages against Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, based in Austin, Texas.

Bankruptcy and Financial Consequences

  • Jones filed for bankruptcy in late 2022.
  • His legal team claimed that the plaintiffs would struggle to collect the full judgment amount.
  • In a separate defamation case in Texas, he is appealing a $49 million ruling.

Infowars Asset Liquidation

In November, a satirical organization, The Onion, won an auction to liquidate Infowars’ assets to satisfy the judgment debts. However, the bankruptcy judge dismissed this auction due to procedural issues. The matter of asset liquidation has now shifted to Texas state court in Austin.

Ongoing Sales and Appeals

As part of these proceedings, Jones’ personal assets are also being sold. He is currently appealing a court order that appointed a receiver to manage the liquidation of his company’s assets, as the aftermath of the Sandy Hook case continues to unfold.