New York CNN Business –
Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones was embroiled in an explosive courtroom exchange Thursday with a lawyer for the families of Sandy Hook victims who have sued him in Connecticut, prompting a reprimand from the judge and warnings that they could be held in contempt if they violate court rules.
The warning from a frustrated Judge Barbara Bellis came during the trial that will determine how much Jones must pay the families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims for his lies about the massacre.
Christopher Mattei, an attorney for the families, questioned the far-right media personality over his false claim that the 2012 shooting that killed 26 people was a “hoax,” prompting Jones to become angry and attack him
Jones accused Mattei of being disingenuous and said he was guilty of “chasing ambulances” before going on a tirade in court about “liberals.”
Bellis, who had previously warned Jones that some of his outbursts were a violation of court rules, reminded the Infowars founder that he was in a “court of justice” and that he was bound to follow his instructions.
“Clearly this is not your show and you have to respect the process,” Bellis told Jones. “Like it or not, you have to follow the rules.”
Bellis also instructed the lawyers to conduct themselves in an orderly manner on both sides.
Bellis warned that anyone who violates court rules in the future will be subject to a contempt hearing, something he stressed he wants to avoid.
The stunning episode capped a day of testimony by Jones, who had not yet appeared in the Connecticut libel trial. The trial comes a month after a Texas jury ruled that Jones and his company, Free Speech Systems, the parent of Infowars, should award two parents nearly $50 million.
Jones baselessly told his hearing after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting that the incident was staged. He has since acknowledged that the shooting happened, but only after the lawsuits were filed. He said in a 2019 affidavit that a “form of psychosis” caused him to make his false comments.
In the Connecticut case, where Jones is being sued by eight other Sandy Hook families, Bellis issued a default judgment against the Infowars founder in November 2021 after he failed to comply with court orders.
In court on Thursday, Jones, who has tried to portray himself as the victim of an elaborate “deep state” conspiracy against him, was confronted during his testimony with some of his rhetoric from the past that attacked the system judicial
Mattei forced Jones to admit to the jury that he had referred to the proceedings as a “kangaroo court” and called the judge a “tyrant.”
Mattei talked about how upset Jones has been when false statements have been made against him, noting that the Infowars founder has taken legal action in the past when he felt he was being defamed.
The lawyer argued to the jury that the lies Jones told about the families of the Sandy Hook victims were far more damaging than the comment that had upset Jones and prompted his legal action.
Mattei, who argued during the trial that Jones pushed the Sandy Hook lie because it was profitable, also questioned Jones about whether he was using the trial as a marketing ploy to sell products to his loyal fan base.
Because the judge already ruled that Jones is liable, the jury is now determining the amount of damages to award the plaintiffs. Although the families have not specified a dollar figure, an attorney for the families asked jurors last week to “send a message” to the public with their decision.
Plaintiffs in three Connecticut lawsuits against Jones, including family members of eight students and school employees and an FBI agent who responded to the scene, have condensed into the trial that began earlier this month
Norman Pattis, Jones’ attorney, has argued that the claims made by the Sandy Hook plaintiffs are “exaggerated.” Pattis also said Sandy Hook families have “become partisan” and said the defense will argue the damage has been exaggerated “because they want to keep quiet.” [Jones] for political reasons”.