ARTICLE · 16 AUGUST 2022

Sandy Hook: Conspiracy theorist ordered to pay $70M for hoax claims

O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors

Explore more from O'Brien Criminal & Civil Solicitors

Grieving parents sue conspiracy theorist for defamation. Punitive & compensatory damages awarded.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Author LinkedIn connections

A court has ordered US conspiracy theorist Alex Jones to pay over $70 million for claiming the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax. The punitive damages and compensatory damages were for defamation.

Neil Heslin and Scarlett Lewis sued Jones for defamation and intentional infliction of emotional distress after he claimed the mourning parents were lying about their 6-year-old son's death.

Sandy Hook Massacre

A gunman killed twenty children and six staff at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December 2012.

Haslin and Lewis' six-year-old son Jesse Lewis died in the massacre.

The sheer magnitude of the violence, and the age of the victims, renewed the debate on gun control in America.

We operate a free-to-view policy, asking only that you register in order to read all of our content. Please login or register to view the rest of this article.

Register for freeORLog in

Related Articles

Consequential Injury Claims: Why Contemporaneous Records Matter

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Bartier Perry Solicitors

Which Court Should Hear A Queensland Debt Claim?

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

How Are Defamatory Imputations Formulated And Pleaded?

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

Queensland Court Of Appeal Clarifies The Application Of Section 36 To Negligence Claims Against Public Authorities

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Gilchrist Connell

Guide To Drafting Jurisdiction Clauses

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Corrs Chambers Westgarth

Legal Intelligence Newsletters: sign up for the latest legal and regulatory news on your chosen topics

Read more about

Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration
- Libel & Defamation

Related Comparative Guides

Comparative Guide

Class Actions

Comparative Guide

International Arbitration

Comparative Guide

Litigation

See more popular content from

Litigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Draft And File A Statement Of Claim In Queensland

Learn the essential steps for drafting and filing a statement of claim in Queensland courts, from identifying the correct jurisdiction and parties through to proper service of documents. This guide breaks down the technical requirements for pleading material facts, particularising claims, and ensuring compliance with court rules and approved forms.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

How To Draft A Defence And Reply

Queensland civil procedure requires defendants to respond to each factual allegation with precision—admissions, denials, or non-admissions must be properly explained, while inadequate responses risk being treated as admissions. Replies serve a distinct and limited purpose, addressing only new matters raised in the defence that could affect the claim's maintainability or introduce unexpected factual questions.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

Libel, Slander, and Defamation – Understanding the Difference

Libel, slander, and defamation are legal terms that address false statements that harm an individual's or business's reputation.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

NSW Statement of Claim: A Basic Guide

A NSW Statement of Claim is a legal document that enables a person to initiate local court proceedings.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Beyond reasonable doubt (criminal) vs balance of probabilities (civil)

Explanation & discussion about the different standards of proof required in criminal cases as compared to civil cases.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Doogue + George Defence Lawyers

Elements Of Defamation In Queensland

In Queensland, proving defamation requires establishing that a defendant published defamatory matter identifying the plaintiff to third parties, causing serious reputational harm. However, even when all elements are satisfied, claims may still fail due to procedural requirements, corporate plaintiff restrictions, or available defences under the Defamation Act 2005.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

Legal Professional Privilege In Queensland

Legal professional privilege shields confidential communications made for obtaining legal advice or litigation purposes, but Queensland's civil procedure rules impose strict disclosure requirements and affidavit obligations when privilege claims are challenged. Expert reports and drafts face particular scrutiny, as they may not qualify for privilege protection under the rules.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

Publication In Defamation Law: Who Is Liable?

Understanding who can be held liable for defamatory statements requires examining the complex legal concept of publication in defamation law. From traditional publishers to modern digital intermediaries, the scope of liability extends far beyond the original author, though recent Queensland legislation has introduced important exemptions and defences for certain online actors.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal

Negligence and the scope of liability (legal causation)

Proving negligence and legal causation is not as straight forward as the commonly accepted concepts and definitions.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Carroll & O'Dea

Counterclaims In Queensland Civil Proceedings: Complete Guide

When a defendant in Queensland civil litigation wishes to pursue its own claim against the plaintiff, a counterclaim provides the procedural mechanism to do so within the existing proceeding. Understanding the technical requirements for pleading, serving, and answering counterclaims—including joinder of additional parties, limitation periods, and the effect of discontinuance—is essential for both claimants and respondents navigating commercial disputes.

AustraliaLitigation, Mediation & Arbitration

Stonegate Legal