Jury Awards Johnny Depp S$20.6 Million In Damages In Defamation Suit Against Amber Heard
The defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has given the internet a seemingly endless supply of high drama, intense media coverage, and controversial memes.
Amber Heard Testifies About The First Time Johnny Depp Allegedly Hit Her, Audience Remains Sceptical
Six weeks later, it has finally come to an end. For now, at least.
After several days of deliberations, the jury finally came to a decision and ruled in Depp’s favour.
They awarded him a total of S$20.6 million (US$15 million) in compensatory and punitive damages. They also awarded Heard S$2.8 million (US$2 million) in compensatory damages.
Depp wins defamation lawsuit against Heard
According to CNBC, jury deliberations kicked off last Friday (27 May) and lasted about 13 hours over three days.
The unanimous verdict was announced on Wednesday (1 Jun). Variety reports that all seven jurors found “clear and convincing” evidence that Heard lied about Depp in her Washington Post op-ed, which alluded to him being an abuser.
Source: Stefania D’Alessandro for WireImage via Newsweek
The 2018 article is the reason Depp sued his ex-wife for S$68.8 million (US$50 million) in damages, claiming that it ruined his career.
In the end, the jury awarded Depp S$13.8 million (US$10 million) in compensatory damages and S$6.9 million (US$5 million) in punitive damages. A judge reduced the punitive damages to S$481,000 (US$350,000) as state law limits the amount, BBC reports.
Heard, who countersued for S$137.5 million (US$100 million), got S$2.8 million (US$2 million) in compensatory damages.
Depp & Heard issue statements after verdict
Following his victory in court, Depp shared his thoughts in a lengthy statement.
He said that after facing “false, very serious and criminal allegations” that “had a seismic impact on [his] life and career”, he is “truly humbled” that the jury “gave [him his] life back”.
Source: Getty Images via BBC
“From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome,” he continued.
Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.
Depp hopes that his “quest to have the truth be told” will help others in similar situations not to give up. He then thanked the judge, jurors, and his legal team and signed off with the phrase “truth never perishes”.
You can read Depp’s full statement in his Instagram post here.
Source: Tom Brenner for Reuters via BBC
Heard also shared her own statement, describing how “disappointed” and “heartbroken” she is at the outcome.
She also called the verdict a “setback” for other women. “It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”
I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly.
You can read Heard’s full statement in her Instagram post here.
Heard allegedly plans to appeal the verdict
Even the most salacious courtroom TV shows had nothing on the Depp-Heard trial.
For weeks, countless reports and social media posts dominated the internet. And now, it seems like everything has come to an end.
Or has it? According to Entertainment Weekly, Heard allegedly plans to appeal the verdict, which, if true, could mean there’s a ‘sequel’ on the horizon.
What do you think of the verdict? Let us know in the comments.
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Featured image adapted from Getty Images via BBC and iNews.
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