A Connecticut jury is hearing evidence to decide how much Conservative radio host Alex Jones should pay out to the family of victims killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting after he continued to peddle the conspiracy theory that the mass shooting that left 26 children and teachers dead was a hoax.
Mr Jones is not in attendance on the first day in the Waterbury courtroom as jurors heard emotional testimony from an FBI agent who responded to the scene of the massacre and the sister of one of the teachers who was slain. Both have since been harassed and threatened by people who believe it was a hoax.
This is the second trial for Jones, who was last month ordered by a Texas jury to pay nearly $50m to the parents of one of the slain children.
There is a six-member jury and several alternates who will ultimately decide how much the conspiracy theorist should pay relatives of eight victims and an FBI agent who responded to the school.
Judge Barbara Bellis found Jones liable without a trial last year after he failed to turn over documents to the families’ lawyers.
