Aug 5 (Reuters) – Legal professionals for fogeys of a kid killed within the 2012 Sandy Hook mass capturing started presenting proof on Alex Jones’s wealth as they search punitive damages on prime of $4.1 million awarded by a Texas jury for the U.S. conspiracy theorist’s false claims that the bloodbath was a hoax.

Forensic economist Bernard Pettingill on Friday testified on behalf of the dad and mom of slain 6-year-old Jesse Lewis, who say they suffered years of harassment after Jones unfold falsehoods concerning the killing of 20 kids and 6 employees at Sandy Hook Elementary Faculty in Newtown, Connecticut, on Dec. 14, 2012.

“He promulgated some hate speech and a few misinformation however he made some huge cash and he monetized that,” Pettingill stated, describing Jones as a “very profitable man.”

A 12-person jury on Thursday stated Jones should pay the dad and mom $4.1 million in compensatory damages for spreading conspiracy theories concerning the bloodbath. Thate verdict adopted a two-week trial in Austin, Texas, the place Jones’ radio present and webcast Infowars are based mostly.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis testified that Jones’ followers harassed them for years within the false perception that the dad and mom lied about their son’s demise.

Jones sought to distance himself from the conspiracy theories throughout his testimony, apologizing to the dad and mom and acknowledging that Sandy Hook was “100% actual.”

Jones’ firm, Free Speech Programs LLC, declared chapter final week. Jones stated throughout a Monday broadcast that the submitting will assist the corporate keep on the air whereas it appeals.

The chapter declaration paused an identical defamation swimsuit by Sandy Hook dad and mom in Connecticut the place, as in Texas, he has already been discovered liable.

Reporting by Jack Queen; Modifying by Howard Goller and Mark Porter

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