By Shukri Osman,
The jury in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, has reached a verdict.
After deliberating for around 14 hours across three days, the jury unanimously decided that Johnny Depp was defamed by Amber Heard and that she “acted with actual malice”, bringing the six-week long case to an end.
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| Estranged couple Johnny Depp & Amber Heard |
Just minutes before
the verdict was set to be read, Judge Penney Azcarate sent the jury back to
fill out the damages section, adding even more suspense on Wednesday in Fairfax
County Circuit Court in Virginia. In the end, the jury awarded Depp $10 million
in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Depp’s punitive
damages, however, were reduced by Azcarate to $350,000 in accordance with the
state’s statutory cap.
Heard, for her part, was awarded $2 million by the jury in
compensatory damages for her counterclaim but nothing in punitive damages. The
jury found Depp liable after his attorney referred to Heard’s claims as a
“hoax.”
Depp first filed his $50 million defamation lawsuit against
Heard in March 2019, in response to an op-ed Heard wrote for the Washington
Post in December 2018 about being the victim of domestic violence.
The article
itself did not mention Depp by name, though. Their contentious 2016 divorce had
been in the news over the previous two years.
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| Amber Heard has had her suit rejected, with the jury finding in her husband’s favour |
Heard and her legal team were in attendance when the verdict
was read but Depp was not present.
She released a statement following the
verdict saying, “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 shamed and humiliated.”
She added, “It sets back the idea that violence against
women is to be taken seriously. I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in
getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore
evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK. 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.”
After the verdict was announced, Heard was seen walking out
of the courthouse with her sister, Whitney, and they both got into a waiting
pickup truck without addressing reporters. Meanwhile, Depp’s lawyers – Camille
Vasquez and Ben Chew – were met with cheers as they exited the courthouse. They
also each gave a brief statement but answered no questions from reporters.
“Today’s verdict confirms what we have said from the
beginning — that the claims against Johnny Depp are defamatory and unsupported
by any evidence,” Vasquez said. “We are grateful, so grateful, for
the jury and for their careful consideration.”
Chew followed Vasquez and said, “Our judicial system is
predicated on each person’s right to have his or her case heard and we were
honored, truly honored, to assist Mr. Depp in ensuring that his case was fairly
considered throughout the trial,” he said. “We were also most pleased
that the trial has resonated for so many people and the public who value truth
and justice. Now that the jury has reached its conclusive verdict, it’s time to
turn the page and look to the future.”
Prior to the announcement, a source close to Depp said that
“due to previously scheduled work commitments made before the trial,”
Depp wouldn’t be physically present in the courthouse for the announcement and
he would be watching from the UK.
Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Heard said, “Your
presence shows where your priorities are. Johnny Depp plays guitar in the UK
while Amber Heard waits for a verdict in Virginia. Depp is taking his
snickering and lack of seriousness on tour.”
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| Actor Johnny Depp |
Heard’s spokesperson is referring to the Pirates of the
Caribbean star making a surprise appearance Sunday at a Jeff Beck concert in
England. Then, on Tuesday, Depp was seen partying with Tom Jones. The actor is
also a notable guitarist, and is a member of the band Hollywood Vampires,
alongside Alice Cooper and Joe Perry.
Meanwhile, the judge granted Heard’s request that the court
seal the identities of the jurors for one year. The identity of the jurors —
comprised of six men and three women — will be sealed “due to the high
profile nature of this case.” That being said, the jury can identify
themselves and/or hold a news conference if they so choose to.
