Aug 4, 2022 - News

Alex Jones ordered to pay $4.1 million in defamation damages

Asher Price

Alex Jones outside the Travis County Courthouse on Wednesday. Photo: Asher Price/Axios

A Travis County jury has ordered Austin-based Infowars broadcaster Alex Jones to pay $4.1 million to the parents of a child killed at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012.

The big picture: Jones had repeatedly lied that the Sandy Hook shooting was a hoax and has already been found liable in defamation cases brought by families of the victims.

Why it matters: It's the first time Jones has been held financially liable for falsely calling the mass shooting, which killed 20 children and six educators, a hoax.

The bottom line: The award, approved by 10 of 12 jurors, is far below the $150 million sought by the parents of Sandy Hook victim Jesse Lewis.

Of note: Jurors will reconvene Friday to hear testimony on Jones' net worth — and determine how much more in punitive damages Jones owes.

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Alex Jones ordered to pay $4.1 million in defamation damages

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