After weeks of shocking testimony and divided fan bases a verdict has been reached in the highly publicized defamation case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard.
A Virginia jury, comprised of six men and three women ruled that Johnny was indeed defamed in Amber’s op-ed in The Washington Post where she called herself a domestic abuse survivor.
The jury deliberated for nearly 13 hours over three days before reaching a verdict.
Johnny Depp was awarded $15 million – $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
He initially sued for $50 million in damages.
Amber Heard didn’t take a total loss as the jury did side with her claim that a statement from Johnny’s lawyer, Adam Waldman, was defamatory.
You may recalled he stated Amber set up an “ambush, a hoax” by initiating a visit from law enforcement to the couple’s home.
Amber was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages, but none in punitive damages.
Watch as the verdict was read below.
Johnny Depp took to the streets of Instagram to share the impact the allegations had on his life.
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 trigged an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It has 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.
Read his full statement below.
Amber Heard also took to social media with a statement, where she expressed her disappointment in the outcome of the trial and how it is a setback for other women.
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 humiliated. It sets back the ideal that violence against women is to be taken seriously.
Read her full statement below.
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Source: THR
