Jury orders conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay Sandy Hook families nearly $1 billion

Amna Nawaz:

As we reported, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones has been ordered to pay nearly $1 billion, $965 million, to be exact, for the lies he spread about the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in 2012.

Jones had falsely claimed the attack that left more than two dozen people dead, including 20 children, was a hoax, and accused a grieving parent of being an actor in the days after the murders. A Texas jury awarded nearly $50 million in a separate damages trial this summer. And Jones likely faces another trial before the year is up.

For some perspective on the scope of this award and what happens now, we turn to Jesse Gessin. He's a trial lawyer in California who works on both civil and criminal cases.

Mr. Gessin, welcome to the "NewsHour." Thank you for joining us.

Let's just start with some context on this verdict. It is an enormous amount of money. What did you think when you heard the damages being awarded?

Jesse Gessin, Trial Attorney:

Wow, quite frankly. It's probably one of the largest defamation verdicts in U.S. history.

Also, it's compensatory, meaning that there's still going to be punitive damages, which could be up to 10 times as much under the U.S. — United States Constitution. So, we're going to see probably this verdict, at least — I would say at least double or triple or maybe even up to 10 times.

Amna Nawaz:

For anyone following the trial, I mean, it was an incredibly emotional trial, emotional testimony from the parents who've lost their children in the most horrific way.

Does that, do you think — did that play a role in the size of the verdict that was eventually awarded?

Jesse Gessin:

Assuredly.

This jury — this verdict says two things. Number one, it says, we hate Alex Jones, and, number two, that we are inflamed, and we feel that these parents have lost something very, very, very special to them, and we're going to do our best to give it back to them with our verdict.

Amna Nawaz:

We should point out, earlier this year, Infowars and its parent company did file for bankruptcy protections. What kind of impact could that have on the amount that's actually paid out?

Jesse Gessin:

Well, the verdict is against Alex Jones and the company.

And so Alex Jones may end up filing for bankruptcy protection as well. His estimated net worth is anywhere between 170 to — $135 million to $270 million. So he may declare bankruptcy as well. But it is certainly possible that this verdict and the Texas verdict could be swept up into the bankruptcy and significantly decreased under U.S. bankruptcy law.

Amna Nawaz:

You mentioned that Texas verdict.

And I want — I want to get your analysis on the difference you see between that Texas verdict that was around $50 million, and was eventually knocked down because of state limits on those kinds of awards, and the damages we saw awarded today.

How do you see the difference between what unfolded in Texas and what happened in Connecticut?

Jesse Gessin:

Yes, it's hard not to draw the inference that they're — the two different jury pools are somewhat politically motivated.

The compensatory damages in the Texas verdict was $4 million. The compensatory damages in the Connecticut verdict is $965 million. That's a $961 million difference in compensatory damages. We still have to see punitive damages in Connecticut, so that — the difference could be even far more striking.

I think it's safe to say that the Connecticut verdict is a far liberal — more liberal jury pool, and that had to have factored into their verdict.

Amna Nawaz:

We should also point out we learned later today that Jones' lawyer has said they do plan to appeal.

But, Mr. Gessin, we should remind folks, Mr. Jones was spreading these lies for years, right, saying that the whole attack was a hoax, that, in some cases, parents were responsible for the deaths of their own children. He's not alone in spreading some of these lies, though.

And I wonder, as you look at this moment, what you think this verdict says in the way of a message it sends about the legal landscape surrounding holding those who spread misinformation accountable in some way?

Jesse Gessin:

Well, if you're profiting off of conspiracy theories that are defamatory, that are obviously false, you need to watch yourself.

And a litigant can prosper, clearly prosper in two very separate forums. And I think that it sends a strong message to people that are making money on lies, and especially given that this isn't the end. There's the — we had the punitive damages verdict, and then we also have a third Sandy Hook lawsuit.

So I think that it sends a strong message to people who are in the business of peddling conspiracies.

Amna Nawaz:

That is Jesse Gessin, a trial attorney in California, joining us tonight,

Mr. Gessin, thank you for your time.

Jesse Gessin:

Thank you for having me.