Alex Jones - Infowars host held in contempt of court for skipping Sandy Hook deposition
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Your support makes all the difference.The years-long legal battle between far-right conspiracy theorist and Infowars host Alex Jones and the families of victims killed in the Sandy Hook massacre continued today with Mr Jones being held in contempt of court.
Mr Jones was found guilty of defamation in multiple lawsuits last year after he falsely said the 2012 school shooting that left 26 dead was “a giant hoax”. The cases are now headed to jury trials to determine damages.
The legal proceedings were thrust back into the spotlight last week when Mr Jones failed to appear twice for a deposition that he had sought to delay because he was too sick to attend — despite the fact that he continued hosting his Infowars show.
At issue in today’s virtual hearing - which took place at 2pm EST - wss the plaintiffs’ motion to hold Mr Jones in contempt of court for dodging the deposition.
Hours before the hearing, Mr Jones offered to settle the cases by giving a “heartfelt apology” and $120,000 payout per plaintiff. That offer was rejected by the families.
Judge Barbara Bellis found him in contempt today and issued a $25,000 per day fine until he sits for two days of deposition in Connecticut, upon which the fines will be refunded.
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Recap: Alex Jones held in contempt for dodging Sandy Hook deposition
Alex Jones will be held in contempt of court after he twice skipped a deposition in his legal battle with the families of victims of the Sandy Hook massacre.
Connecticut Superior Court Judge Barbara Bellis moved to sanction Mr Jones at a hearing on Wednesday, just as the Infowars host released a statement attacking the families’ rejection of his offer of a settlement the night before.
In her ruling, Judge Bellis offered Mr Jones the opportunity to purge the contempt if he sits for a deposition by 10 April - but said he will face a fine of $25,000 should he fail to do so by this Friday, and the fine will increase to $75,000 on Monday.
Megan Sheets has all the details of today’s hearing.
Alex Jones held in contempt of court for dodging Sandy Hook deposition
A Connecticut judge moved to sanction Jones at a hearing on Wednesday, just as the Infowars host released a statement attacking the families’ rejection of his settlement offer
Thank you for following our rolling coverage of today’s Alex Jones contempt of court hearing.
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