Alex Jones trial moves to punitive damages phase

By DAVE COLLINS
Associated Press

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is facing the possibility of having more penalties heaped onto the amount he owes relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting. The punitive damages phase of his Connecticut trial began Friday. A jury last month ordered Jones and his media company to pay nearly $1 billion in compensatory damages to the Sandy Hook families for repeatedly telling his audience of millions that the 2012 shooting that killed 20 first graders and six educators was a hoax. The plaintiffs testified they have been repeatedly threatened and harassed by Jones’ followers. A judge will determine punitive damages. Friday’s hearing lasted less than a half hour and was continued to Monday.