After a frustrating and futile three years in federal bankruptcy court, the Sandy Hook families who sued Infowars conspiracist Alex Jones for defamation thought they were finally getting closer to collecting the $1.3 billion that he owes them.

But as a hearing in federal bankruptcy court in Texas got underway on Thursday, things seemed to be going the other way, with all parties showing signs of exasperation, including the judge.

“This case has been pending since 2022, folks. It just needs to end,” said U.S. Bankruptcy Court Judge Christopher Lopez. The more the case drags on, he added, the more money from Jones’ estate will be going toward paying the lawyers, leaving less for the families.