Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones addressed the media after a bankruptcy hearing at the federal court building in Houston in June 2024. David J. Phillip/AP Closed subtitles
Three years after a frustrating and futile encounter in federal bankruptcy court, Sandy Hook's family sued Sandy Hook for slandering Alex Jones, thinking they were finally close to collecting the $1.3 billion he owed them. But with the hearing in the Texas Federal Bankruptcy Court on Thursday, it seems that it is happening, with all parties showing signs of anger at different moments, including the judge.
"This case has been waiting since 2022. It just needs to end," said U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez, who added that more cases are increasing, the more money the Jones Manor is paid, and the less money left to the family.
However, the judge himself has attracted attention for delays because he appears to be changing the idea of Infowars’ parent company’s free speech system. Jones' lawyers hope to go bankrupt again, and although the judge had previously made it clear that he would not allow it, he said Thursday that he wanted to "think everything."
From a family perspective, this seems to be another frustrating legal torture.
“Jones is clearly abandoning all roadblocks to avoid accountability,” said Avi Moshenberg, an attorney who filed a lawsuit in Texas. "These families are enough. They want to close. They are not doing anything and deserve more delayed pain and will not stop them from getting justice."
After Jones declared bankruptcy, the Sandy Hooks won $1.3 billion in two Connecticut libel lawsuits, accusing Jones of spreading false conspiracy theories, both of whom were a delicate scam actor who just pretended to be their kids Killed in a massive school shooting. Jones' followers believe these lies have harassed and tortured these families over the years. Jones later admitted that the 2012 shooting was real and actually killed 20 young children and six educators.
Insolvency litigation has been marked by sharp twists and setbacks over the past three years.
The judge has blocked lawyers from going to Texas court in an attempt to force a sale from Jones Media to collect the owed money. Lopez insists that it must be done through the bankruptcy court. But when the company later auctioned through a bankruptcy court process, and the satirical venue was appointed as the winner by Onion, the judge also shut down the matter, saying the process was flawed. Then, just a few months later, the judge said that the company could actually no After all, it can be sold through a bankruptcy court and told the family to return to the state court to file the demand.
Today, the bankruptcy trustee's lawyer sat in court and shook his head. A family lawyer looked like he was about to jump out of the chair.
“We have heard you (said) some of the collection activities should be done in state courts,” said Kyle Kimpler, one of the attorneys for families suing Connecticut. “We are working on doing that.”
The state court seems to have the greatest hope for any surprise gains from Infowars' parent company, but Jones continues to fight that prospect.
His attorney Shelby Jordan accused the Sandy Hook family of “abuse of the “bankruptcy process” to destroy Alex Jones.
Judge Lopez said he was reluctant to allow another bankruptcy auction for the company at the end of the hour and half of the hearing.
Lopez said from the bench: “I don’t think I’ve changed my mind here.