HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — Right-wing radio host and conspiracy theorist Alex Jones is moving to dismiss a defamation lawsuit filed by the families of some of the 26 people killed in the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting.
In written arguments filed Friday, Jones’ lawyers argue he was acting as a journalist in the tradition of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein in questioning the official narrative of the Connecticut shooting.
Jones, who says he now believes the shootings happened, says such journalism would be chilled if “reporters were subject to liability if they turned out to be wrong.”
Six families and an FBI agent who was a first responder filed suit this spring in state court.
The families say Jones’ comments have tormented them and subjected them to harassment and death threats by his followers.
(Copyright (c) 2024 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.)