Alex Jones tried to promote his supplement business in $150 million Sandy Hook defamation trial.
The conspiracy theorist bragged about the quality of vitamins sold on his conspiracy theory website Infowars and yelled at the jury. The jury is charged with deciding how much Jones must pay Mark Hessling and Scarlett Lewis, who lost their 6-year-old son Jesse Lewis in the 2012 school shooting that claimed 20 children and 6 adult lives.
Asked his lawyer, Andino Reynal, about Infowars’ business model, Jones said he made $165 million by promoting the supplement on the site.
“We have them made in a recognized top laboratory in the U.S. All we do is put our label on it, so we know it’s triple-tested and of high quality, and that’s why people love it,” he said.
“It’s the best…you can buy all kinds of junk at the gas station. That’s not ours…we got it from the Japanese.”
Attorney Mark Bankston, who is representing Jesse’s parents, accused Jones of repeatedly lying on the witness stand after claiming he was bankrupt.
He also accused Mr Reiner of “deliberately soliciting testimony to sabotage this hearing”.
Judge Maya Guerra Gamble strongly admonished Jones to testify that he complied with the discovery and that he was bankrupt.
“Mr. Jones, you may have filed for bankruptcy, I don’t know, but I’ve heard of it. It doesn’t bankrupt the individual or the company. You’ve sworn to tell the truth. Today, you’ve broken that oath twice. It’s not your show,” she said.
Judge Guerra Gamble said the conspiracy theorist “abused my tolerance and improperly sidelined the jury”.
When asked if he understood what she said, Jones replied: “Yes, I believe what I’m saying is true.”
“You believe everything you say is true when it is not,” the judge shot back at Jones. “Your beliefs can’t make something happen. That’s what we do here, just because you claim to think something is true doesn’t make it true.”
Neil Hessling and Scarlett Lewis testified earlier that they suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder and live in fear of Jones supporters. They spoke emotionally about the years-long harassment of Jones’ listeners who believed he had repeatedly falsely claimed that the Sandy Hook shooting had taken place.
“Come on, it’s a hoax to say Jesse never existed,” Ms Scarlet said directly to Jones. “I know there were hoaxes out there, but it was a very real event and I went through it. It’s unbelievable that you would go on to say it didn’t happen.”
Judge Guerra Gamble also repeatedly accused Jones of chewing in court.
Jones claimed he had dental surgery last week to remove a tooth, was massaging the area around the missing tooth, and offered to show his mouth to the judge.
“I don’t want to see what’s in your mouth. Sit down,” Judge Guerra Gamble replied.
Video footage posted to social media appeared to show him turning his back to the judge and putting something in his mouth.
At the beginning of his testimony, Jones apologized to his parents.
“I never hurt you on purpose, I didn’t even say your name until we went to court,” he said.
