Supreme Court Denies Alex Jones' Appeal in Sandy Hook Defamation Case, Upholding $1.4 Billion Judgment
The US Supreme Court has denied conspiracy theorist Alex Jones' appeal of a $1.4 billion defamation judgment related to his claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was staged by crisis actors. The court's decision upholds a lower court ruling that found Jones liable for defaming and causing emotional distress to families of the victims, who were killed in the mass shooting that targeted first graders and educators in Newtown, Connecticut.
According to the Supreme Court's order, the justices rejected Jones' appeal without comment on October 15, leaving intact the judgment against him. The ruling marks a significant victory for the Sandy Hook families, who can now pursue collecting damages from Jones and his Infowars media outlet.
The defamation lawsuit was filed by several families of the victims, including Neil Heslin, whose six-year-old son Jesse was killed in the shooting. In a statement, Heslin said, "This decision is a huge victory for us and for truth. We're grateful that the Supreme Court has upheld the lower court's ruling, which holds Alex Jones accountable for his lies about our loved ones."
The case against Jones began in 2018 when he claimed on his Infowars show that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax staged by crisis actors to promote gun control. The families of the victims sued Jones for defamation and infliction of emotional distress, alleging that his claims caused them significant harm and trauma.
In 2022, a Connecticut Superior Court jury found Jones liable for defamation and ordered him to pay $1.4 billion in damages. Jones appealed the decision to the Supreme Court, arguing that the lower court judge was wrong to find him liable for defamation and infliction of emotional distress.
The Supreme Court's denial of Jones' appeal is seen as a significant blow to his efforts to avoid accountability for his claims about the Sandy Hook shooting. According to Mark Barden, whose son Daniel was killed in the shooting, "This decision sends a clear message that spreading lies and conspiracy theories has consequences."
The ruling also marks a victory for media outlets and journalists who have been critical of Jones' claims and tactics. As one expert noted, "This decision is a reminder that spreading false information can have real-world consequences and that those who do so must be held accountable."
The next step in the case will be for the families to pursue collecting damages from Jones and his Infowars media outlet. According to their lawyers, they plan to begin the process of collecting on the judgment immediately.
In a statement, the lawyers for the Sandy Hook families said, "We are thrilled that the Supreme Court has upheld the lower court's ruling, which holds Alex Jones accountable for his lies about our loved ones. We look forward to continuing this case and ensuring that justice is served."
The decision is seen as a significant victory for truth and accountability in the face of conspiracy theories and misinformation. As one expert noted, "This decision sends a clear message that spreading false information will not be tolerated and that those who do so must be held accountable."
This story was compiled from reports by NPR News and BREAKING: NPR News.
