Alex Jones defamation case – latest: Infowars host says he may support fifth new rant outside Sandy Hook court

The defamation lawsuit this fourth week in Connecticut was brought by nine plaintiffs – eight relatives of Sandy Hook victims and a former FBI agent who responded to the shooting.

Here’s a recap of what’s at stake for the Infowars host:

In testimony Tuesday, mother Francine Wheeler told the court how she felt her identity was being stripped away by trolls pushing Jones’ lies about Sandy Hook.

Mrs Wheeler, whose six-year-old son Ben was killed in the shooting, described how her name became synonymous with lies – overshadowing both her foundation in his honour, Ben’s Lighthouse, and her acting career.

“It’s ironic because I spent my adult career performing. I loved my life in New York, even in Newtown,” he said.

“They took that away from me and doctored and edited 20 years of my work. They took it from me.

“They took my ID, they took my husband’s ID, they took my surviving son’s ID.”

The parents of seven-year-old Sandy Hook victim Daniel Burden both testified Tuesday about how their lives were – and continue to be – turned upside down by Jones’ lies.

Jackie Burden choked up as she described Daniel – who would have turned 17 last month – as a very compassionate person who always put others before himself.

After his death, she said she received letters from pranksters who said they urinated on Daniel’s grave and threatened to dig it up to prove the shooting was a hoax.

Mark Barden said hearing his wife’s testimony earlier in the day was “devastating” and pointed out that Jones was not in the courtroom to hear it – instead staying outside to give a press conference.

Mr Barden said many of the other parents who had already given evidence captured his feelings well.

“I can relate to Robbie Parker saying my compass is turning. Or David Wheeler said he felt like he was underwater, disoriented. I get it, we’ve all been there,” he said.

Mr Barden concluded his testimony by saying how the pranks had “tarnished” his son’s memory.

“Our little home movies, our thoughts and memories, have been hacked and taken away from us. Tarnished with toxic hate and lies and danger.”

He fought back tears as he described how the abuse changed him, making him constantly paranoid wherever he goes.

“I’m not the same person,” he said.

Conspiracy theorist Alex Jones said Tuesday he may invoke the 5th Amendment if called back to the stand in his Sandy Hook libel trial to avoid jail time.

The Infowars founder told reporters outside a court in Connecticut that he was “strongly considering” invoking the fifth, as he unfoundedly claimed the judge wants to throw him in jail for telling the truth.

“Not because I’m guilty, but because she is [the judge] he says if I tell the truth, he’ll put me in the Waterbury Jail for six months. That’s what he can do,” he snapped.

“I say to the judge and to all the rest of the New World Order: I am innocent and you are guilty of tyranny.”

By the Independent Bevan Hurley has more:

Tuesday’s proceedings were abruptly halted after lunch when a fire alarm went off in the courtroom.

The cause of the alarm – which forced a brief evacuation – has not been disclosed.

Watch the shocking moment:

After jurors were dismissed for the day, Jones’ attorney, Norm Pattis, informed the court that he no longer expected to return to the witness stand tomorrow.

That revelation raised scheduling concerns, as plaintiffs’ lawyers said they planned to wrap up their case in about 20 minutes, meaning jurors would have to come for just that.

Mr Pattis warned it was possible Jones would change his mind – but he does not expect that to happen.

Journalist Morgan Stringer explained the confusing exchange in her Twitter thread about today’s proceedings:

Mr Barden concluded his testimony by saying how the pranks had “tarnished” his son’s memory.

“Our little home movies, our thoughts and memories, have been hacked and taken away from us. Tarnished with toxic hate and lies and danger.”

He fought back tears as he described how the abuse changed him, making him constantly paranoid wherever he goes.

“I’m not the same person,” he said.

Mr Burden was excused after the defense refused to cross-examine him.

Judge Barbara Bellis then excused jurors for the day before dealing with the “household” of both parties.

During Mr Burden’s evidence, the jury was shown a video of young Daniel performing ‘What A Wonderful World’ with his siblings in honor of their grandfather’s 90th birthday.

The plaintiffs’ attorneys then read a series of vitriolic comments posted on the video after Sandy Hook.

The comments, which were posted over a period of several years until two weeks ago, accused the family of faking Daniel’s death for profit and claimed he never existed.

Of the countless threats the family faced, Mr Barden said: “It almost broke us.”

Referring to the disturbing letters about his son’s grave, he said: “To hear that people have desecrated him, urinated on him and threatened to dig him up, I don’t know how to express to you what that feels like, but here we are.”

About 15 minutes after the fire alarm went off, an “all clear” was issued, according to New York Times reporter Elizabeth Williamson.

As proceedings begin again, By the Independent Bevan Hurley recaps Jones’ latest outburst in front of the courthouse: