Johnny Depp sued ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation: 7-member jury affirmed Depp’s three claims, arguing that the content of Heard’s “Washington Post” (without naming himself a victim of Depp’s domestic violence, etc.) ), in line with the defamation of Depp, Depp won all three lawsuits, and was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages + $5 million in punitive damages.
Since it is in Virginia, the maximum amount of punitive damages of the $5 million is $350,000, and Depp’s final compensation is $1000+35=$10.35 million.
Two of Heard’s three counterclaims were denied, and one was affirmed (affirming that a statement made by Depp’s former attorney constituted defamation against Heard), and was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages.
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Depp sued the other party for an article Heard had previously published on the “Washington Post”, in which Heard did not explicitly name Depp, but wrote that he had become a “representative of victims of domestic violence.”
Depp claims that the “domestic violence” claims defamed him, damaged his reputation and his acting career, and is seeking $50 million.
Heard countersued for $100 million, alleging that Depp was slandering her for calling her allegations a “hoax”.
The trial opened in mid-April this year and lasted for about a month and a half. Depp and Heard and their legal teams confronted each other, and the two also testified in person one after another.
Heard said Depp had repeatedly used physical and verbal violence against him, and Depp denied all allegations of domestic violence.
In the end, the jury found that Heard’s “act of malice or recklessness met the high standards of a public figure for defamation”; it also found that Heard’s three counterclaims were established: Depp’s former lawyer Adam Waldman alleged that Heard set Depp’s charges against Depp. Remarks such as scams constitute defamation against Heard.
At today’s sentencing scene, Heard was present, and Depp did not come because of his performance work. For this result, the two sides subsequently issued a statement.
“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.
All in the blink of an eye.
False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.
And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.
My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.
From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.
I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.
I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.
The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.
Veritas numquam perit.
Truth never perishes.”
Heard said in a statement that he was very disappointed.
“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.
I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that Violence against women is to be taken seriously.
I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.
I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.”
It is unclear whether Heard will seek appeals or other forms of legal compensation.
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