After a brutal six-week defamation trial, the jury finally determined Wednesday that Amber Heard defamed Johnny Depp on three counts after deliberating for simply 13 hours.
The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Virginia regulation states that punitive damages have to be capped at $350,000, which means Depp will really obtain a most complete of $10.35 million.
Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages.
“The frustration I really feel at the moment is past phrases,” Heard’s crew instructed The Submit in an announcement. “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of proof nonetheless was not sufficient to face as much as the disproportionate energy, affect and sway of my ex-husband.
“I’m much more disenchanted with what this verdict means for different girls. It's a setback. It units again the clock to a time when a girl who spoke up and spoke out could possibly be publicly shamed and humiliated. It units again the concept that violence in opposition to girls is to be taken severely,” Heard’s assertion continues. “I imagine Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to miss the important thing challenge of Freedom of Speech and ignore proof that was so conclusive that we gained within the UK.
“I’m unhappy I misplaced this case,” Heard’s assertion concluded. “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.”
Depp, 58, sued his ex-wife Heard for $50 million after she penned a Washington Submit op-ed claiming an ex abused her. Whereas she by no means named Depp, he claimed the essay broken his profession and potential earnings. Heard, then, countersued for $100 million for saying her abuse claims have been falsified.
The jury finally discovered that whereas Heard was responsible on all claims of defamation, Depp solely defamed his ex as soon as, when Adam Waldman instructed the Day by day Mail Heard set Depp up in a “hoax” when police visited their house in 2016.
Within the courtroom, Depp’s crew of attorneys shook palms and celebrated, regardless of the star’s absence.
“As a consequence of beforehand scheduled work commitments made earlier than the trial, Mr. Depp won't be bodily current for at the moment’s 3 p.m. verdict and might be watching from the UK,” a supply instructed The Submit at the moment, whereas Heard’s crew slammed the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star.
“Your presence reveals the place your priorities are. Johnny Depp performs guitar within the UK whereas Amber Heard waits for a verdict in Virginia,” a consultant for Heard, who was current in courtroom, instructed The Submit, a nod to a shock rock present Depp performed in England with Jeff Beck over the weekend. “Depp is taking his snickering and lack of seriousness on tour.”
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But, the pro-Depp verdict comes after weeks of numerous followers flocking in hordes to the courthouse, displaying assist for Depp and sneering at Heard as the 2 battled out their high-profile case.
Following the decision announcement, Depp launched a prolonged assertion of gratitude, saying he was “humbled” by the jury’s choice.
“The jury gave me my life again,” his assertion learn. “One of the best is but to come back and a brand new chapter has lastly begun. Veritas numquam perit. ‘Reality by no means perishes.'”
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