Hollywood actor Johnny Depp has been won his defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard, following a decision by a jury in Virginia, after a six week long trial, where both actors took the stand.
Johnny Depp has won his legal battle with ex Amber Heard, following a sensational six week long trial in the US.
A jury ruled in favour of the actor, 58, following weeks of testimony from Depp himself, Heard, friends of the pair, expert witnesses and even supermodel Kate Moss, a former partner of Depp.
Johnny Depp won all three defamation counts in his case brought against ex-wife Amber Heard over her 2018 op-ed about coming forward with domestic abuse allegations. She’ll have to pay $15 million in damages.
Depp was awarded compensatory damages of $10million and a further $5million in punitive damages.
Heard was awarded compensatory damages of $2million after proving one of her counterclaims to the jury.
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 decided in unanimous fashion that Depp was defamed by Heard and that she “acted with actual malice,” bringing the six-week long case to an end.
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.
Heard and her legal team were in attendance when the verdict was read but Depp was not present. Prior 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.”
