The US has found that Johnny Depp’s and Amber Heard’s allegations against each other have been damaging. However, the jury sided more with Johnny than with Amber after a long, intense trial.
The verdict at the end of this trial was a satisfying conclusion to six weeks of hearing difficult claims from both parties.
The jury in Virginia awarded Johnny Depp $15 million in damages after finding that a 2018 article about Heard’s “sexual abuse” was defamatory.
Heard, who had been listening in silence, was “heartbroken” and “disappointed beyond words” after the sentencing.
Hence, Depp even mentioned the verdict on Instagram.
In the op-ed for The Washington Post, Heard had described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” — and although she did not name Depp in the piece, he sued her for implying he was an abuser, seeking $50 million in damages.
Amber Heard, who starred in Aquaman, is countersuing for $100 million. She says that she was falsely defamed. Her abuser’s lawyer told the media her abuse claims were a hoax.
The jury agreed that Heard was defamed by those statements, and also awarded her damages — but at a significantly lower amount, $2 million.
A Setback for Amber Heard
She was disappointed that her ex-husband’s influence over the evidence resulted in not being believed.
“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband,” she said in a statement.
“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback… It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously,” she said.
Some Depp supporters and onlookers gathered outside to await the judge’s verdict. One person had a “Jack Sparrow” pirate hat, while one woman had a sign that read “no matter what today, Johnny is a winner”.
Dozens of people were called to the stand, and included agents, film producers, doctors, and friends.
Hundreds of people attended the trial, to defend Johnny Depp. The trial was publicized on social media.
The couple had profanity-laced arguments that were recorded and played in court.
Depp testified that it was Heard who was frequently violent and said it has been “brutal” to listen to “outlandish” accusations of domestic abuse made against him.
Heard filed for a restraining order against Depp, citing domestic violence at the time of their separation.
A three-time Oscar nominee, Depp filed a libel case against the British tabloid “The Sun” for accusing him of being a “wife-beater”
And the question is: Who really suffered the most damage in this defamation lawsuit?
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