Civil case jurors between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard are currently on a three-day hiatus for Memorial Day holiday weekend, but they are they are expected to resume their deliberations on Tuesday.
The trial has caught the attention of the public and could be an important precedent for victims of domestic abuse. It could be a few more days before the jury returns a final verdict, but what could it mean for Depp if his defamation suit is rejected?
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Depp will not receive the lucrative payment
In suing Heard, Depp is seeking $ 50 million in lost profitsdue to an article his ex-wife wrote to The Washington Post in 2018. She described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” and Depp’s legal team claims the actor has lost a significant amount of income due to the insinuation that he was the aggressor.
If the jury dismisses your civil claim, then you will not receive lucrative pay and Heard will not be ordered to pay his supposedly expensive legal fees.
Following the verdict, the future of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in Hollywood faces a new trial likely to be decided in public opinion https://t.co/2adxwTwqI7
– CNN (@CNN) May 29, 2022
The jury may also find that Depp is entitled to money for loss of income, but that the $ 50 million figure is excessive. In this case, a smaller sum could be awarded.
There could be more legal disputes after a defeat by Depp
Even if he loses in the civil court case in Fairfax, Virginia, Depp could still choose appeal against the decision. However, it is difficult to see how this could be effective unless significant new evidence or testimony emerges after the trial.
Most likely, Heard will sue Depp to take the matter to court. In fact, Heard has already filed a $ 100 million lawsuit against her ex-husband alleging that she defamed her in the course of her lawsuit. Depp’s legal team described the allegations as “false” and a “deception of sexual violence.”
As is the case with Depp’s lawsuit, the jury in this counterclaim could also decide that the $ 100 million figure is not justified and award Heard less, or even more, compensation.