HARTFORD, Conn. — The Connecticut Supreme Court has chosen not to review an appeal by infamous conspiracy theorist Alex Jones regarding a defamation case. This comes on the heels of a significant $1.4 billion verdict against him, stemming from his claims that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. Jones had approached the court in a bid to challenge both the original trial verdict from 2022 and a subsequent appellate court decision from December, which largely upheld the ruling. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal without offering any explanatory statement on Tuesday.
Jones, known for his controversial statements, faced substantial financial penalties after a Connecticut jury and judge granted over $1.4 billion to the families of victims from the 2012 Newtown, Connecticut shooting. Jones repeatedly asserted that the massacre, which claimed the lives of 20 first graders and six educators, was fabricated. He later admitted the tragedy was indeed “100% real.” During the defamation trial, relatives of those lost recounted severe trauma inflicted by Jones’ claims and the harassment they faced from his followers.
In December, Connecticut’s Appellate Court affirmed $965 million of the original damages. Concurrently, two other parents affected by the tragedy were awarded nearly $50 million in a similar case in Texas, which Jones is also contesting. Within his Connecticut appeal, Jones put forth arguments based on free speech and other constitutional and procedural grounds.
Expressing discontent on his Infowars program, Jones remarked, “We had a very strong appeal in Connecticut.” Efforts to capture commentary from Jones’ legal team remain unmet as of Wednesday. An appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court is not out of the question.
Attorney Alinor Sterling, representing the Sandy Hook families, commented that the Connecticut Supreme Court’s decision marks a significant move towards holding Jones accountable for the distress and damage caused. The decision paves the way for the families to proceed with collecting the owed damages.
In response to the formidable verdicts in both Connecticut and Texas, Jones filed for personal bankruptcy protection in late 2022. The case continues as legal discussions persist about liquidating assets belonging to Jones and his Infowars media company.