US: Families of children massacred at Sandy Hook win defamation case against Alex Jones

Mr Jones was found liable by default after a judge determined he engaged in “wilful non-compliance” by not complying with court orders to give the families certain documents.

Chris Mattel, a lawyer for the families, said: “Mr Jones was given every opportunity to comply but when he chose instead to withhold evidence for more than two years, the court was left with no choice but to rule as it did today.

“Mr Jones is very used to saying whatever he wants to say from the comfort of his own studio, but what I think this case has shown is that when he is forced to defend his conduct in a court of law and comply with court orders, that it’s a very different ballgame.”

The massacre saw six adults and 20 children murdered at Sandy Hook elementary school in Newtown, Connecticut. The shooter was Adam Lanza, 20, who shot his way into the building. The children were all aged between five and six. The killer shot himself dead after carrying out the massacre.

Mr Jones called the incident a “false flag” operation staged by actors with the aim of increasing public pressure for reform of gun laws.

He said it was a “complete fake” and a “giant hoax”, but later said he did not actually believe this.

The grieving families were abused and ridiculed and even sent death threats as a result of the claims. Eleven of them filed lawsuits in 2018. Mr Jones has now been found liable in all cases and a jury is set to determine the damages.

Seemingly confused, Mr Jones said last night: “It’s not guilty until proven guilty.”