After more than six weeks of courtroom drama that has captured the nation’s attention, the jury, who began deliberating on Friday, has finally reached a decision in the defamation case of actor Johnny Depp vs. his ex-wife, Amber Heard.
On Wednesday, the jury concluded that Heard defamed Depp in three separate statements she made in a Washington Post op-ed from 2018, in which she called herself a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” The jury also concluded that Depp defamed Heard with a statement made by his attorney.
Depp – who claimed Heard’s false statements cost him lucrative acting roles – was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory charges.
Depp had initially sued Heard for $50 million, and Heard countersued for $100 million.
Depp was not present in the courtroom for the final verdict to be read due to “previously scheduled work commitments.”
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Following the court decision, Depp released a statement saying,
“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.”
Heard also released a statement that expressed her feeling of defeat and disappointment 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.”
WATCH the jury read the verdict in Johnny Depp, Amber Heard defamation trial:
