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Jury Reaches Damages Verdict In Case Against Alex Jones; Verdict Being Read In Connecticut Case Against Alex Jones; Jury Award Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars To Sandy Hook Families. Aired 3:30-4p ET
Aired October 12, 2022 - 15:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
[15:30:08]
JOEY JACKSON, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: You know, Joey makes such a fantastic point about the CUTPA damages, which is the Connecticut unfair business trade practices. Which has to do with the monetary profits that he made. In this case, the CUTPA with the compensatory damages are built in, and so it's not going to be a separate figure, but outside of the jury's presence, there is a punitive aspect -- I know we're getting legalese here -- but it has to do with the CUTPA, and it is the judge who will determine it at a later date, and that could be huge. There is no limit.
VICTOR BLACKWELL, CNN HOST: All right, we of course, are watching that courtroom in Connecticut. A decision has been made. The judge has sent the jury back for some initials and potentially some decimals. So, this won't be very long. We will bring it to you as soon as we hear the decision from the jury on the damages for Alex Jones and his company due to these families because of his lies about the Sandy Hook shooting.
[15:35:00]
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
BLACKWELL: More on the breaking news now at Waterbury, Connecticut. The jury has reentered the courtroom. You see here the bailiff handing over the documents to the judge. This is the defamation trial against Alex Jones' company Free Speech Systems. This is the penalties phase to determine damages due to 14 families and an FBI agent. The judge sent the jury back for a moment because some documents didn't have the foreperson's initials, and there were some decimals missing. So just a brief break. She's looking through those documents, and we're now of course, expecting to learn the jury's decision. We've got with us Jean Casarez, Joey Jackson, Areva Martin.
Areva, the jury in Texas determined that Alex Jones was liable for $50 million to families there. Will these families ever recoup this money?
AREVA MARTIN, CNN LEGAL ANALYST: That is such a great question, Victor. Whenever you file these civil lawsuits, the question is does the defendant have deep pockets? Do they have the ability to pay?
BLACKWELL: All right. Let me go back into the courtroom, Areva. UNIDENTIFIED MALE: The verdict, we the jury have reached our verdict
as to damages in this case. We reward damages to each plaintiff against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems LLC, as follows.
Rule number one: Compensatory damages, instructions. Fill in both numbers for each plaintiff and go to Section 2. Please enter your damage -- damages assessments for each plaintiff on the lines below.
To plaintiff Robbie Parker. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $60 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $60 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Robert Parker and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add Line A to Line B, a total of $120 million. Initialed by the juror number one.
To plaintiff David Wheeler. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $25 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future $30 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff David Wheeler and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add Line A add Line B, $55 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To Plaintiff Francine Wheeler. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $24 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $30 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Francine Wheeler and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems add line A and line B, total $54. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jacqueline Barter. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $10 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $18,800,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jacqueline Barter and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B $28,800,000. Initialed by juror 1.
To plaintiff Mark Barter. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $25 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $32,600,000. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Mark Barden and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $57,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
[15:40:00]
To plaintiff Nicole Hockley. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $32 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $41,600,000. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Nicole Hockley and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $73,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Ian Hockley. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $38 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $43,600,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Ian Hockley and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $81,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jennifer Hensel. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $21 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $31 million. The total of fair just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jennifer Hensel and against Alex Jones and free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $52 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Donna Soto. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $30 million. Total of fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Donna Soto and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $48 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Carlee Soto-Parisi. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $30 million. B: Emotional distress damages, past and future, $36 million. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Carlee Soto-Parisi and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $66 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Carlos Matthew Soto. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18,600,000. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $39 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Carlos Matthew Soto and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $57,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jillian Soto Marino. A: defamation/slander damages past and future, $30 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $38,800,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jillian Soto Marino and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $68,800,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff William Aldenberg. A: defamation/slander damages past and future, $45 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $45 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff William Aldenberg and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $90 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Erika Lafferty. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $58 million. The total of fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Erika Lafferty and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $76 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff William Sherlach. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $9 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $27 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff William Sherlach and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $36 million. Initialed by juror number one.
[15:45:00]
Number two: Awarded attorney fees and costs. Instructions: Check yes or no. If you check yes, the judge will determine the amount due to the plaintiffs for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and will then award the plaintiffs that amount at a later date. You check, no, the judge will award one dollar to the plaintiff's for their attorneys' fees and costs.
We the jury find that the standard charge for the assessments of attorneys' fees and costs have been met. Yes, is checked. Reasonable attorneys' fees and costs could be awarded by the judge at a later date. Initialed by juror number one.
The last page is the foreperson juror number one's signature and the date of 10/12/2022. Also initialed by juror number one.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The verdict may be accepted and recorded.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury please listen to your verdict as it has been accepted and recorded.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Do you need that?
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: No.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Verdict, we the jury have reached our verdict as to damages in this case. We've awarded damages to each plaintiff and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems LLC.
Number one, compensatory damages. Instructions: Filled in both numbers for each plaintiff and go to Section two. Please enter your damages assessments for each plaintiff on the lines below.
To plaintiff Robbie Parker. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $60 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $60 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Robert Parker and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add Line A to Line B, $120 million. Initialed by the juror number one.
To plaintiff David Wheeler. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $25 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $30 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff David Wheeler and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add Line A add Line B, $55 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To Plaintiff Francine Wheeler. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $24 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $30 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Francine Wheeler and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, total $54. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jacqueline Barter. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $10 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $18,800,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jacqueline Barter and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B $28,800,000. Initialed by juror one.
To plaintiff Mark Barter. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $25 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $32,600,000. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Mark Barden and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $57,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
[15:40:00]
To plaintiff Nicole Hockley. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $32 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $41,600,000. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Nicole Hockley and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $73,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Ian Hockley. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $38 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $43,600,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Ian Hockley and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $81,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jennifer Hensel. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $21 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $31 million. The total of fair just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jennifer Hensel and against Alex Jones and free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $52 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Donna Soto. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $30 million. Total of fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Donna Soto and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $48 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Carlee Soto-Parisi. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $30 million. B: Emotional distress damages, past and future, $36 million. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Carlee Soto-Parisi and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $66 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Carlos Matthew Soto. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18,600,000. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $39 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Carlos Matthew Soto and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $57,600,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Jillian Soto Marino. A: defamation/slander damages past and future, $30 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $38,800,000. The total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Jillian Soto Marino and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $68,800,000. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff William Aldenberg. A: defamation/slander damages past and future, $45 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $45 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff William Aldenberg and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $90 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff Erika Lafferty. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $18 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $58 million. The total of fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff Erika Lafferty and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $76 million. Initialed by juror number one.
To plaintiff William Sherlach. A: Defamation/slander damages past and future, $9 million. B: Emotional distress damages past and future, $27 million. Total fair, just and reasonable damages to plaintiff William Sherlach and against Alex Jones and Free Speech Systems, add line A and line B, $36 million. Initialed by juror number one.
Number two: Awarded attorney fees and costs. Instructions: Check yes or no. If you check yes, the judge will determine the amount due to the plaintiffs for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs and will then award the plaintiffs that amount at a later date. You check, no, the judge will award one dollar to the plaintiff's for their attorneys' fees and costs.
We the jury find that the standard charge for the assessments of attorneys' fees and costs have been met. Yes, is checked. Reasonable attorneys' fees and costs could be awarded by the judge at a later date. Initialed by juror number one.
The last page is juror number one's signature and the date 10/12/2022 and is also initialed by juror number one.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, do you all agree that this is your verdict?
JURY: Yes.
JURY: Yes.
JUDGE: Anything further, counsel, before I discharge the jury?
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Nothing from the defense, judge.
JUDGE: All right. Now as you will recall when we started the case, I read some preliminary instructions to you. And I now have a brief and I promise you a brief statement to read to you regarding host (INAUDIBLE) communications. You've now concluded your service as jurors and jurors often ask whether they can discuss their jury experience with others. Under our law, that decision remains solely with each one of you. If you wish to discuss your jury service with others when you are asked about it or even if you are not asked about it, you may do so.
On the other hand, if you choose not to discuss your jury service with others, you may refuse to do so. The choice is yours. It is your right to decide whether to speak or not speak about your experience.
Now you may be contacted by members of the media seeking comment from you about your experience in this case. You are under no obligation to speak to the media, nor do you need to provide any explanation for not doing so.
[15:55:00] As you know, highly publicized trials may arouse strong reactions in the public. For this reason and others, you may wish not to publicize your service as a juror. That decision is entirely your own.
Now I can deviate from the script. On a personal note, I would like to thank you all for your service and your dedication and serving on this jury, for taking time out of your busy lives. I hope that you found the experience a rewarding one. And I thank you for your service on behalf of the parties, the lawyer and the court. You are hereby formally discharged from your service as jurors. Thank you again. We are adjourned.
BLACKWELL: $965 million that jury of six decided. That's the liability for Alex Jones and his company to those 14 families and the FBI agent who responded to Sandy Hook that day. Let's bring back the panel. We've got Jean Casarez, Joey Jackson, Areva Martin. Jean, let me start with you -- 965.
JEAN CASAREZ, CNN CORRESPONDENT: This speaks volumes to the state of mind of that jury. Because for about four weeks of trial, they heard from those parents. They testified what they went through, not only the death of their child but in the aftermath what they went through.
I want to mention one father here, Robbie Parker, his daughter, Emily Parker, was in first grade and she was killed. She was massacred. Robbie Parker got more than anyone else, $120 million all together. And his story, as he testified, was that it was hours after Emily was shot dead that he participated in a press conference. And he was nervous. And he smiled a little bit. There was a little bit of a smile, maybe even a small laugh, that he does that when he gets nervous. That was enough, according to testimony, that Alex Jones took that and ran with it. And he disseminated the photo of Robbie Parker everywhere, for years, to show it was fake, to show he was a fake actor.
So, you see every single plaintiff the jury looked at individually. And $120 million they felt he was due for what he had gone through, from almost the very, very beginning.
BLACKWELL: Areva, to you. Listen, before we started going into the reading of the decision there, I asked if the families will get that money. I think we have an answer now that we know $965 million. But as I was writing them down, how much does that matter? I saw a man crying. I can't imagine that was about a dollar figure.
MARTIN: Yes, Victor, as I was saying, the issue always in civil cases is, is it collectible? Is it judgment? Even a judgment like this close to $1 billion, is it collectible. And what we know from Alex Jones is that there was a determination in that Texas case that he was worth about $270 million. We know he transferred about $62 million out of his accounts. And he's transferred property to his wife. He's now filed chapter 11 bankruptcy. So, he's saying he doesn't have money.
But for families that (INAUDIBLE) it's not about money. There's no amount of money that can make these families whole. The kind of pain and suffering that they have experienced because of the vicious lies and the vile statements that Alex Jones has made can't make these families whole.
But what we have in our civil system, you know, are money damages. And I hope that the families, the lawyers -- obviously very skilled attorneys -- will be able to pierce any veil that Alex Jones or his companies try to put up to prevent these families from collecting some of this money. Doubtful that he has $900 plus million squirreled away someplace. But it's not clear to me either that he's not broke. And I hope that these families, if they don't collect a dime, that they put him out of business and they prevent him from ever doing this to any other family or group of families who have experienced the pain that these families have experienced.
BLACKWELL: Joey Jackson your thoughts.
JACKSON: Yes, and my thoughts are as follows. You want to talk about accountability? Accountability came with this verdict. There are consequences in lying. There are consequences in spreading misrepresentations that impair and affect families. Jean mentioned the nervous laughter which really translated into the jury saying, that's exactly what it was. It wasn't about a hoax.
There was another family who had to describe their son's grave being urinated on. People coming and wanting to dig him out of the grave to establish that he wasn't really dead. I mean, when you talk about falsehoods that impair people, that emotionally destroy people, who had to live through this for almost ten years, I think that resonated with this jury and it resonated with the number figures we have here. Not only to deter him but other people in the future who would spread such lies and tether them to profit. Unacceptable, that's what the jury said.
[16:00:00]
BLACKWELL: And Jean, we had the video -- I said I saw a man crying. I'm told that is Robbie Parker and the story you just told.
CASAREZ: I think the emotions -- that is him right there. And I think the emotions of those families sitting there tell it all. And one other thing is many of the families moved out of Connecticut.
BLACKWELL: Because they had to get away from the people who were --
CASAREZ: Their addresses -- their new addresses were then disseminated.
BLACKWELL: All right, Jean, Areva, Joey, thank you all. "THE LEAD" starts now.
