A Texas appeals court has significantly reduced a $50 million judgment against Infowars founder Alex Jones to $1.5 million, ruling that the trial court improperly allowed the award to exceed statutory limits.
The unanimous decision by the Texas Third Court of Appeals determined that Sandy Hook parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis did not present sufficient evidence to bypass the state's $750,000 cap on damages.
Jones was held liable after falsely claiming to his millions of followers that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a staged hoax, which led to intense harassment and death threats against grieving families.
While the ruling represents a major legal win for Jones, it does not affect a separate $1.4 billion Connecticut judgment against him that the US Supreme Court recently declined to overturn.
Despite the reduction in the Texas damages, Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, continue to navigate ongoing bankruptcy proceedings related to their massive legal liabilities.
IN FULL
Alex Jones’ $50 million verdict for false Sandy Hook claims is reduced to $1.5 million
