Jury upholds defamation lawsuits brought by Depp and Heard
Status: 10:04 p.m
Jury finds Johnny Depp right in Amber Heard’s civil trial
A jury has reached a verdict in actor Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard. They also agreed on a ruling on the counterclaim filed by Heard. The verdicts will now be read in Fairfax District Court.
A US district court has upheld the mutual defamation lawsuits brought by actor Johnny Depp and his ex-wife and colleague Amber Heard. The jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages and Heard $2 million in damages.
IIn the defamation trial between Hollywood star Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard, the jury largely sided with Depp – but also agreed with Heard on some points. The seven jurors told Judge Penney Azcarate on Wednesday in court in Fairfax County, Virginia. Previously, the return of the verdict was delayed because the jury failed to enter what it deemed appropriate damages on the appropriate form.
Dressed all in black, Heard followed the verdict in court, Depp did not show up. Numerous onlookers and fans, especially Depp, had gathered in front of the court, who cheered after the verdict and shouted “Johnny, Johnny”.
Previously, Depp (58) and Heard (36) had made serious allegations against each other for six weeks in the defamation process – spread all over the world via cameras via live stream. In their closing arguments, the lawyers on both sides then again brought forward serious allegations of sexual abuse, physical violence, lies and drug excesses.
The Pirates of the Caribbean star accused Heard in his civil lawsuit of making false statements in a 2018 op-ed about domestic violence published by the Washington Post. This would have damaged his reputation. He had demanded 50 million dollars (a good 46 million euros) in damages for defamation. In her counterclaim, Heard claimed $100 million. She claimed that Depp’s ex-lawyer Adam Waldman had damaged her reputation with a smear campaign.
The bitter War of the Roses has been raging for years. Heard filed for divorce in 2016 after just 15 months of marriage. She accused the Hollywood star of domestic violence.
About two years ago, Depp suffered a defeat in London with a lawsuit against the tabloid “Sun”. It was about an article alleging that Depp physically abused Heard as a wife beater. After a trial with fierce allegations, the High Court ultimately dismissed the lawsuit.