Amber Heard Bitter After Losing Defamation Trial Against Johnny Depp: ‘I’m Sad’
Amber Heard expressed her disappointment after failing to prove that Johnny Depp abused and defamed her.
Everything has boomeranged to Heard after the seven-person jury in the defamation trial declared that Depp is the winner of the case. The verdict said that Depp successfully proved that Heard defamed him in her 2018 The Washington Post op-ed in which she alleged that she was a victim of sexual violence.
Deadline reported that the jury ultimately awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. But Fairfax County Circuit Court Judge Penney Azcarate reduced the punitive damages to $350,000, as it is the state's statutory cap or legal limit.
Heard, meanwhile, still won one of the three defamation counts and got awarded $2 million in damages.
After losing the case, the "Aquaman" actress issued a statement expressing her "disappointment" and "sadness" with the verdict.
"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," she said, as quoted by PEOPLE.
The 36-year-old actress added that she is more disappointed due to the effects of the verdict to the other women, calling it a setback.
For Heard, the defamation trial findings just set back the idea that the violence against women should be taken seriously.
She then accused the jury of overlooking the Freedom of Speech and ignoring the evidence that made them win the case in the UK. In the end, Heard proclaimed that she feels sadder as it feels she lost the right to speak freely and openly as an American.
A spokesperson for Heard, David Shane, said that the actress plans to appeal the verdict.
Johnny Depp Got His Life Back
While Heard remains bitter because of the outcome, the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star expressed his gratitude as the jury gave his life back through the verdict.
"From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me," he said. "I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that," he said.
Depp's attorneys also personally thanked the jury and the supporters outside the court.
Camille Vasquez, who became an instant star due to her skills and performance, acknowledged the careful deliberation and the people who helped them give Depp the justice he deserves.
