Last week’s nearly $50 million damages verdict against far-right radio host Alex Jones for defamation came after an unexpected twist in court proceedings that revealed his lawyers mistakenly turned over his personal text messages and other phone records to the opposing legal team.
The material could prove damaging for Mr. Jones as he faces additional defamation cases focused on his on-air spreading of falsehoods that the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre was a hoax. It also could open him up to further scrutiny from lawmakers and law-enforcement officials investigating his actions surrounding the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.