Judge Imposes Gag Order On Jones Custody Case

Alex Jones

A request for a mistrial was denied Friday at the start of the court session over the custody of the children of radio talk host Alex Jones.

The request was made  because of a tape played in court Thursday in which Jones had offered supportive commentary on Donald Trump’s remark on a 2005 Access Hollywood tape — released in the heat of 2016 presidential campaign — about his ability, as a celebrity, to grab women by the genitals and get away with it.

The clip had not been approved to be played before the jury by Naranjo, though it ran for a minute or more before Randall Wilhite, one of Jones’ attorneys, asked the judge to stop the tape and approached the bench for an extended discussion with the judge and Kelly Jones’ attorneys.

Jones appeared elated at the time, and the jury was ultimately asked to disregard what they had seen.

State District Judge Orlinda Naranjo denied the request for a mistrial.

Later, both sides released separate but similar court-approved statements asking the press to respect their children’s privacy and saying they will abide by the gag order imposed by Orlinda Naranjo and refrain from answering questions until the trial is over.

Alex Jones’ statement reads as follows:

“Above all this is a private matter. This is about my family and only my family. I have endeavored very faithfully for three years to keep this circumstance confidential for the sake of my children to protect their innocence. I urge the press to be respectful and responsible and to show due deference to the process of the law and respect the boundaries defined for this case so that a fair result can be found. As there is a gag/protective order on the trial of the safety, welfare and protection for our children’s private rights and what is in their best interests, I am holding my responses until the end of the trial."

Friday’s testimony ended with a brief appearance on the stand by Carol Jones, Alex Jones’ mother, who lives with his father, David, a dentist. Both are very close to their three grandchildren, who are frequent visitors to their home.

Alex Jones’ parents are also involved with Infowars, to the tune of millions of dollars in the last couple of years, according to her testimony.

“It’s a family business,” she said.

Asked about death threats against her son and grandchildren because of Infowars, Carol Jones said that it concerned her, especially in the case of her grandchildren.

“My son’s career, that goes with the territory as they say,” she said. “It’s not the children’s territory.”