Alex Jones Sandy Hook defamation trial continues

The conspiracy theorist and Infowars host was ruled liable for defamation after claiming the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. Now the chosen jury will have to determine how much money two of the families get paid.

AUSTIN, Texas - Alex Jones appeared in Judge Maya Gamble Guerra's courtroom Tuesday, awaiting his fate. He was found liable for defamation months ago, now jurors have to determine a dollar amount to put on that.

The attorneys for Sandy Hook parents Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis asked for $150 million in total for a decade of mental anguish and other damages.

"Neil and Scarlett lost their boy at Sandy Hook, and at this point in 2017, they are at their breaking point," said Mark Bankston, attorney for the family.

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The jury has to determine two things. How much the parents should be paid, and how much money should Jones pay for punishment.

The court ruled the Infowars host and conspiracy theorist made false statements over the years, claiming the Sandy Hook massacre was fake.

Attorney Mark Bankston laid out an overview of their case in opening statements, and included what Infowars published.

"This article says FBI said no one killed at Sandy Hook," said Bankston.

Jury selection begins for Alex Jones defamation trial

The conspiracy theorist and Infowars host was ruled liable for defamation for the comments he made after the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre.

"You're going to hear that Anderson Cooper from CNN did an interview with a parent in Newtown, and they weren't really in Newtown," he said.

Jones spoke to the media during a short break, saying his rights were being taken from him.

"I have to sit there while they go, ‘He agrees he's guilty, and you're just going to decide how much he pays.’ This is the murder of your rights to due process,’" said Jones.

Alex Jones speaks to media at Sandy Hook defamation trial: FULL INTERVIEW

The Infowars host and conspiracy theorist speaks to reporters during a break in his trial.

Jones' attorneys said he has apologized, and to this day, is paying for his mistakes.

"I went on Megyn Kelly and said I thought it happened. I went on Megyn Kelly and said I was sorry. They didn't show you that," said Jones.

In the afternoon, the plaintiffs called their first witness, a lead investigator with Connecticut state police force who said he was never contacted by Jones for an interview to get the story on what happened Dec. 14, 2012.

Jones' attorneys argue the misinformation came from other sources on the internet.

"You know that vast majority of it was not produced by Infowars?" said F. Andino Reynal, Jones’ attorney regarding what he called a large amount of information online about the Sandy Hook conspiracy.

"I don't know, it wasn't our position to try and trace that," said Det. Daniel Jewiss.

Jones' trial is expected to last through next week.

Austin Crime and Public Safety