Jury in Alex Jones, Sandy Hook case begins first full day of deliberations

The jury in the defamation case against “InfoWars” host Alex Jones began its first full day of deliberations Friday after nearly four weeks of testimony and closing arguments from attorneys representing Jones and the plaintiffs Thursday.

Jones has already been found responsible for the grief suffered by families harassed by conspiracy nuts who, like Jones, claimed the 2012 killing of 20 children and six adults in Sandy Hook Elementary School was a hoax meant to garner support for gun control advocates. Jones admitted during testimony in a different defamation case last month that he now believes the killings “100%” did happen. The jury in that case, which took place in Texas, where Jones lives, awarded victims $50 million.

Jurors in Waterbury, Conn., voted to begin Friday’s deliberations at 9:30 a.m. after Judge Barbara Bellis gave them the option to start at 9 a.m. at the end of the day Thursday.

Jones testified in his defense on Sept. 22, but did not return to the courtroom to be cross examined by his defense team. His day in court was highly contentious with the 48-year-old right-wing pundit claiming he believed what he was saying on his show in the aftermath of the shootings in Newtown, Conn., and no longer felt he needed to apologize.

The jury deciding Jones’ damages consists of three men and three women. Judge Bellis gave jurors instructions Thursday afternoon before sending them to discuss their judgment. The plaintiffs are asking that Jones pays heavily for what they’ve endured in the decade since losing their loves ones. Jones’ team has argued that financial penalties should not be exorbitant.