Johnny Depp wins defamation suit against Amber Heard

Johnny Depp wins defamation suit against Amber Heard

 

On Wednesday, Johnny Depp won a defamation trial against his former wife Amber Heard when a jury determined that she had defamed Depp by claiming that he had assaulted her throughout their relationship.

 

Depp sued his ex-wife, Amber Heard, for defamation in connection with a 2018 op-ed she penned for The Washington Post in which she referred to herself as a "public figure symbolizing domestic abuse." Despite the fact that Depp's name was not included in the piece, he alleges it cost him lucrative acting roles. Heard countersued her ex-husband for defamation after Depp's counsel made allegations concerning her abuse claims.

 

The jury determined that Heard defamed Depp in three distinct statements in The Washington Post article, and that Depp defamed Heard in one statement made via his counsel.

 

A Virginia jury found Heard guilty of defaming the Pirates of the Caribbean actor after hearing six weeks of testimony and deliberating for 13 hours.

 

A jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. In response to Heard's countersuit, the jury awarded her $2 million in compensatory damages.

 

Heard demanded $100 million in damages, while Depp sought $50 million. Because punitive damages in Virginia are limited to $350,000, the judge decreased the punitive damages award to that amount.

 

According to Legal Analyst Joey Jackson, the ruling represents a "tremendous" legal victory for Depp and a rejection of Heard.

 

"It's a fantastic triumph," Jackson added. "What he had to overcome was a violation of the First Amendment, which states that we all have the freedom to communicate our thoughts and beliefs. They (the jury) stated that you do have a First Amendment right unless you say something inaccurate that harms someone's reputation and causes them harm in their industry."

 

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard react to the verdict

As the verdict was read in court, Heard kept her face down. Depp was not present in court but issued a statement in which he stated, in part, that "the jury handed me my life back."

Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, attorneys for Johnny Depp, speak to the media after the verdict was announced.

"The purpose of pursuing this lawsuit from the start was to uncover the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something I owed to my children and to everyone who has continued to support me "He stated. "I'm relieved that I've finally completed that."

On Wednesday, Depp's attorneys thanked the jury and said it was "time to turn the page and look to the future."

"We are grateful, so grateful, to the jury for their meticulous thought, as well as to the judge and court personnel who have given a huge amount of time and resources to this case," said the judge. The attorney Camille Vasquez told reporters outside court.

In a statement, Heard expressed her "heartbreak" over the verdict.

"Today's disappointment is indescribable. I'm heartbroken that the weight of evidence was insufficient to overcome my former husband's power, influence, and sway "Heard stated.

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