Johnny Depp Wins Defamation Case Against Amber Heard

The defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is over and a verdict is in.

The jury announced on Wednesday that Depp has won the defamation case against Heard.

The jury found that Heard did defame Depp on all three counts, in her op-ed for the Washington Post back in 2018.

Depp has been awarded $15 million in damages - $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages.

During the verdict, the foreperson of the jury ran through each of the questions, answering 'yes' to each. These included whether Heard 'acted with malice' and whether statements about the marriage were 'false' and whether the op-ed referenced her relationship with Depp.

While the jury ruled that Heard's defamation claims against Depp were not fully proven, they did however award $2 million in compensatory damages to Heard.

Heard was in attendance in the courtroom on Wednesday, while Depp is still in the UK due to prior commitments. He is believed to have been watching the verdict.

Following the verdict, Heard released a statement on social media.

It read: "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. 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."

Depp also released a statement. It read: "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 triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me.

"It had 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."

He continued: "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. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that."

The decision came after the jury reconvened to deliberate for a second day on Wednesday morning, 1 June, after they failed to come to a unanimous decision on Friday, while Monday was a bank holiday in the US.

Depp launched his $50 million defamation case against Heard in the state of Virginia, following abuse claims she made in an op-ed for the Washington Post back in 2018.

Depp’s legal team argued that the article implied Heard was physically and sexually abused by Depp when they were married, although the article does not refer to him by name. 

Heard then pursued a defamation countersuit for $100 million following statements Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman made to the press following her op-ed article.

Following six weeks of testimony for the high-profile court case, both legal teams finally wrapped up on Thursday after Depp's team rested their case.

While waiting for the decision, fans were stunned to see that Depp had been making surprise appearances over the last few days.

This weekend, fans at a Jeff Beck gig in Sheffield were left in shock when Depp appeared on stage.

During the show, Depp and Beck performed John Lennon's 'Isolation' – a rendition of which they released a few years ago. They also performed Marvin Gaye's 'What's Going On' and Jimi Hendrix's 'Little Wing'.

Writing on Twitter, one shocked fan said: "Just been to see Jeff Beck at Sheffield City Hall, he had a surprise special guest, Johnny Depp!!"

Meanwhile, Depp made another surprise appearance on stage on Monday night.

The Edward Scissorhands actor took to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall alongside musician Jeff Beck at the latter’s concert in London.

Featured Image Credit: Alamy

Topics: News, Johnny Depp

Lucy Devine

Lucy is a journalist working for Tyla. After graduating with a master's degree in journalism, she has worked in both print and online and is particularly interested in fashion, food, health and women's issues. Northerner, coffee addict, says hun a lot.

@lucedevine