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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
World
Sam Elliott-Gibbs

Conspiracy theorist who said Sandy Hook shooting was hoax ordered to pay parents $4m

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who claimed the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax, has been ordered to pay the parents of a victim $4m (£3.3m).

Right-wing Jones, from Austin, Texas, has been successfully sued for defamation for one of his most despicable suggestions that the 2012 killings were staged.

He claimed that the Sandy Hook mass shooting was a "hoax" and that parents of the 20 child victims were "crisis actors".

He's been accused of making money off spreading "misinformation and false lies" about the tragedy.

They said they had endured harassment and emotional distress because of Jones' ramblings.

The massacre killed 28 people (AFP/Getty Images)

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis filed a defamation lawsuit against Jones over his wild and untrue claims.

The next phase starts on Friday, with the jury deciding what is called Punitive damages.

The massacre saw 20 children and six adults killed, sending shockwaves around the world.

He must now pay the mum and dad of six-year-old victim Jesse Lewis seven figure compensation.

The parents of victim Jesse Lewis launched a legal case again him (twitter)
Adam Lanza shot the children and adults before killing himself ten years ago (Reuters)

They were originally seeking at least $150m (£123m) after being subjected to the abuse.

They sued Jones and his media company for saying it was “false flag” operation and that the victims did not ever exist.

The jury will jury return tomorrow to hear more evidence regarding any further damages they may wish to impose.

The Sandy Hook tragedy remains the deadliest school shooting in American history.

Adam Lanza, 20, shot the children, aged six and seven, and six adults, made up of school staff and faculty, before killing himself ten years ago.

The Infowars conspiracy theorist claimed within hours of the massacre that it had been staged (AFP via Getty Images)

His mother Nancy was found dead from a gunshot wound at their home.

He lived nearby but had no known connection with the school. The gunman fired over 154 rounds in less than five minutes before killing himself with a shotgun.

"Especially since I've met the parents. It's 100% real," the Infowars host told the court in Texas on Wednesday.

Jones faces another trial brought by one of the other families.

During the trial, it was discovered his own lawyer had mistakenly shared the entire contents of Jones’ phone with the opposition legal team.

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