A Virginia jury ruled Wednesday that actor Amber Heard defames ex-husband Johnny Depp in a six-week trial that included clear and graphic evidence and testimony detailing the former Hollywood couple’s sour relationship. The jury also ruled in Heard’s favor in some aspects of her defense against Depp.
The jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard. The ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ star sued Heard for $50 million, arguing that he defames her when she called herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse”. Hurd, 36, countered for US$100 million, saying Depp defamed him when his lawyer called his allegations “hoax.”
On Wednesday, a seven-person jury reached a verdict, deciding that Depp proved that ex-wife Heard defamed him in his 2018 op-ed about coming forward with sexual violence allegations. The jury awarded Depp US$15 million in damages but Heard would only pay US$10.35 million because Virginia law cap on punitive damages (the judge reduced the amount). In his countersuit, Heard won one of three defamation counts, and was awarded US$2 million in damages.
Depp was not present when the verdict was read out in court. He said in a statement that “the best is yet to come” for him after the verdict.
“Six years ago, my life, the lives of my children, the lives of those closest to me, as well as the lives of those who supported and believed in me for many years, were forever changed. In the blink of an eye Yes,” he said. “Through the media, false, very serious and criminal charges were leveled against me, triggering an endless stream of hate material, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within nanoseconds and had a seismic effect on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back.
The 58-year-old actor was in good spirits shortly before the verdict was pronounced in his defamation case, reports People.com. Depp was seen hanging out with musicians Sam Fender – who posted a picture with Depp on social media – and Jeff Beck on Wednesday at the Bridge Tavern in Newcastle, England, where an audience tells people, “He’s in a great mood.” I was in.”
Gary Spading, another pub patron who was at the establishment at the same time as Depp, also opened up about his experience conversing with the Rum Diaries actor and what it was like “about 45 minutes” before the verdict was read.
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