Aug 5 (Reuters) – Lawyers for the parents of a boy killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting began presenting evidence about Alex Jones’ wealth as they seek more than $4.1 million in punitive damages awarded by a Texas jury over US conspiracy theorist’s false claims that the massacre was a hoax.
Forensic economist Bernard Pettingill testified Friday on behalf of the parents of slain 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, who say they suffered years of harassment after Jones spread falsehoods about the killing of 20 children and six staff members at the ‘Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Connecticut, on December 14, 2012.
“He promulgated hate speech and some misinformation, but he made a lot of money and monetized it,” Pettingill said, describing Jones as a “very successful man.”
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A 12-person jury said Thursday that Jones must pay the parents $4.1 million in compensatory damages for spreading conspiracy theories about the massacre. That verdict followed a two-week trial in Austin, Texas, where Jones’ Infowars radio show and webcast is based.
Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis testified that Jones’ supporters harassed them for years in the false belief that the parents lied about their son’s death.
Jones tried to distance himself from conspiracy theories during his testimony, apologizing to the parents and acknowledging that Sandy Hook was “100% real.”
Jones’ company, Free Speech Systems LLC, filed for bankruptcy last week. Jones said during a Monday broadcast that the filing will help the company stay on the air while it appeals.
The bankruptcy filing put on hold a similar defamation suit by Sandy Hook parents in Connecticut, where, like Texas, it has already been found liable.
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Report by Jack Queen; Editing by Howard Goller and Mark Porter
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