The Court of Virginia has passed the verdict for the famous Amber Heard v/s Johnny Depp defamation case. The verdict is in favor of Mr.Depp. According to the jury, Depp will get a compensation of $10.35 million, and Heard is awarded $2 million in the countersuit.
Heard had made a statement post their divorce in December 2018 op-ed stating she was a survivor of physical abuse. The allegation had an effect on Depp’s career; many roles including his role famous role: Captain Jack Sparrow in Disney’s the Caribbean of Pirates were taken away from him due to this allegation. Mr.Depp filed a defamation case against Ms.Heard in 2020 for which public trials were conducted in the past weeks. Mr.Depp had previously lost a case against The Sun in November 2020 when he was called a “wife-beater”. Post that case Mr.Depp had publicly expressed his side stating he will take the matter to the court and prove himself. The jury at Fairfax County Court in Virginia, US passed the verdict in favor of Mr.Depp on 2nd June.
Why was Amber heard awarded $2 million?
During the trial, both of them were allowed to make statements and show their pieces of evidence. Mr.Depp made three statements in his suit and won all three. Ms.Heard made three statements in her counterclaim and won one of the statements. Moreover, it was observed that one of Mr.Depp’s lawyers defamed Ms.Heard during the trial. This resulted in compensating Ms.Heard for $2 million. Her role in the movie Aquaman was questioned by Mr.Depp’s legal team which offended the actress resulting in defamation.
On the other hand, Mr.Depp was awarded $10 million as compensatory damage and $350,000 as punitive damage i.e. the damage exceeding simple compensation, awarded to punish the defendant.
Post the session Ms.Heard tweeted her disappointment stating she was heartbroken. She also mentioned the impact she thinks this has on other female abuse. Conclusively, she said has lost a right as an American.
https://twitter.com/realamberheard/status/1532083776741842945?s=20&t=GNKCb6DRafJBJSiW32XPSA
Johnny Depp shared a post on Instagram stating his gratitude and joy towards this decision. He said, ‘the jury gave my life back.’ He also mentioned the truth of physical abuse for men and women in the same situation and not giving up.
The trial is ended and was attended by all, including Elaine Bredehoft her lawyer, and Benjamin Rottenborn her principal attorney from Ms.Heard’s legal team. Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew from Mr. Depp’s legal team. Though, Mr.Depp could not attend the session due to prior work commitments. This marks the end of their defamation case and marks a new beginning for Mr.Depp.
