A Texas jury ordered InfoWars founder Alex Jones, to pay $4 million in compensatory damages, to Scarlett Lewis and Neil Heslin. Jesse Lewis was one of the twenty children and six teachers who were killed by Adam Lanza in 2012’s mass murder at Sandy Hook Elementary School, Newtown, Connecticut. Jones claimed Sandy Hook was an elaborate hoax to increase gun control. Heslin, Lewis requested that at least $150M be paid in punitive damages.
Jones’ week isn’t going well, RedStater Joe Cunningham observed this past Wednesday, the 3rd of August:
Jones stood as an attorney on behalf of the Sandy Hook legal teams and was being questioned about Jones’ past statements. Jones was attempting (poorly) to defend himself when the lawyer revealed a very horrifying truth: That Jones’ own lawyer had sent a digital copy of Jones’ phone to the Sandy Hook lawyer by mistake It was never claimed to be privileged..
If nothing else, Amber Heard’s legal representation can breathe easy that they’re quite possibly not the worst lawyers in the Western Hemisphere.
Jones’ defense or assassination is beyond my control. It is up to you to either believe what Jones says or deny it. Jones is a fine and intelligent person. Jones’ words are based on their merit. What concerns me is the notion that a public figure saying the “wrong” thing about a public event is liable for damages to those offended by his words.
It is hard for me to imagine what it would be like to lose a child. I’m hardly untouched by grief; I’ve buried both of my parents and two of my three brothers. To bury a child is the hardest thing one could endure in their entire life.
One can easily understand that parents who have lost a child to a madman’s murderous rampage must thirst for justice. Lanza committed suicide, therefore there is no case against him. Lanza killed his mother with the guns he had at school. There can’t be any recompense for her family. To be blunt, financial compensation will not bring your child back. What is Jones’ purpose?
Heslin has claimed Jones’ words have endangered his life.
“What was said about me and Sandy Hook itself resonates around the world,” said Heslin, whose son was one of 20 students and six staffers killed in the attack on the Newtown, Connecticut elementary school.
“As time went on, I truly realized how dangerous it was,” the choked-up dad said in Austin, Texas, court. “My life has been threatened. I fear for my life, I fear for my safety.”
An apology from Jones wouldn’t be good enough now, Heslin said.
“Alex started this fight and I’ll finish this fight,” he said.
Heslin might not be aware of the Streisand impact his lawsuit has. Even if free speech is considered to be beyond reproach, the problem is it’s impossible to stop without drawing more attention to what is said. Jones has been receiving more attention today than he was when he raised the Sandy Hook issue. Negative publicity can’t exist.
Problem 2: What happens when this stops? It is easy to say, “It’s only Alex Jones,” and go on with one’s business. But it isn’t just Alex Jones. Facebook and Twitter stopped banning InfoWars. No. Do you think the media stopped lying about Steele’s dossier after it was proved to be false? No. No.
Alex Jones is a professional at sowing wind, and sometimes reaping the harvest. However, Jones deserves some protection. It is not for him, personally or professionally. He alone is responsible. Rather, he deserves a measure of defense out of knowing that once the Saul Alinsky edition of Pandora’s Box opens, good luck getting everything put back in there.
About Post Author
