Depp sued Heard, his ex-wife, for defamation over a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Submit by which she described herself as a “public determine representing home abuse.”
Although Depp was once no longer named within the article, he claims it price him profitable appearing roles. Heard countersued her ex-husband for defamation over statements Depp’s lawyer made about her abuse claims.
The jury started deliberating on Might 27 after listening to greater than 100 hours of testimony from witnesses.
The jury discovered that Heard defamed Depp with in 3 separate statements within the Washington Submit piece, and that Depp defamed Heard with one commentary his lawyer made.
Depp was once awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million bucks in punitive damages. Heard was once awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages. (Punitive damages within the state of Virginia are capped at $350,000, so the pass judgement on decreased Depp’s punitive damages award to that quantity.)
Depp sought $50 million in damages and Heard sought $100 million.
Beneath, learn their complete reactions to the decision.
Johnny Depp’s commentary
“Six years in the past, my existence, the lifetime of my youngsters, the lives of the ones closest to me, and likewise, the lives of the individuals who for lots of, a few years have supported and believed in me had been without end modified.
All within the blink of a watch.
False, very severe and felony allegations had been levied at me by the use of the media, which caused an unending barrage of hateful content material, even supposing no fees had been ever introduced in opposition to me. It had already traveled all over the world two times inside a nanosecond and it had a seismic affect on my existence and my profession.
And 6 years later, the jury gave me my existence again. I’m in reality humbled.
My determination to pursue this example, understanding rather well the peak of the criminal hurdles that I’d be going through and the inevitable, international spectacle into my existence, was once handiest made after substantial idea.
From the very starting, the function of bringing this example was once to expose the reality, irrespective of the end result. Talking the reality was once one thing that I owed to my youngsters and to all those that have remained steadfast of their beef up of me. I believe at peace understanding I’ve after all achieved that.
I’m, and feature been, beaten by means of the outpouring of affection and the colossal beef up and kindness from all over the world. I am hoping that my quest to have the reality learn can have helped others, males or ladies, who’ve discovered themselves in my state of affairs, and that the ones supporting them by no means surrender. I additionally hope that the placement will now go back to blameless till confirmed accountable, each inside the courts and within the media.
I need to recognize the noble paintings of the Pass judgement on, the jurors, the court docket group of workers and the Sheriffs who’ve sacrificed their very own time to get so far, and to my diligent and unwavering criminal staff who did an bizarre process in serving to me to proportion the reality.
The most productive is but to return and a brand new bankruptcy has after all begun.
Veritas numquam perit.
Fact by no means perishes.”
Amber Heard’s commentary
“The discontentment I believe these days is past phrases. I am heartbroken that the mountain of proof nonetheless was once no longer sufficient to get up to the disproportionate energy, affect, and sway of my ex-husband.
I am much more disillusioned with what this verdict approach for different ladies. This is a setback. It units again the clock to a time when a girl who spoke up and spoke out might be publicly shamed and humiliated. It units again the concept that violence in opposition to ladies is to be taken severely.
I consider Johnny’s legal professionals succeeded in getting the jury to fail to remember the important thing factor of Freedom of Speech and forget about proof that was once so conclusive that we gained in the United Kingdom.
I am unhappy I misplaced this example. However I’m sadder nonetheless that I appear to have misplaced a proper I assumed I had as an American — to talk freely and overtly.”
