Amber Heard was “demonized” by ex-husband Johnny Depp’s legal team and excommunicated on social media during a sensational defamation lawsuit that ended with a jury ordering Depp to pay $ 15 million ($ 21 million) dollars), says Heard’s lawyer, revealing the Aquaman. the star cannot afford the trial.
Elaine Bredehoft, one of Heard’s top lawyers, says she believes the jury was influenced by a barrage of social media posts condemning and supporting her ex-husband Depp. He heard plans to appeal.
“These people were threatening to kill him. They threatened to microwave his baby. That’s the kind of social media he was getting,” Bredehoft told CBS TV on Thursday.
“It was as if a Roman Colosseum was the best way to describe the atmosphere here.”
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Bredehoft also said some evidence that was allowed in a similar defamation suit that Depp lost in the UK was suppressed in the lawsuit he filed in Virginia. The UK judge found that Depp assaulted Heard on a dozen occasions.
“We couldn’t afford to tell that to the jury,” Bredehoft told NBC’s Today about the former Hollywood couple’s trial. “So what did Depp’s team learn from this? Demonize Amber. And suppress the evidence.”
Wednesday’s verdict in Fairfax County Circuit Court found that Depp had been defamed by a 2018 opinion piece written by Heard in which he said he was a victim of abuse.
The jury awarded him $ 10 million in compensatory damages and $ 5 million in punitive damages, but the judge reduced the punitive award to $ 350,000 below a state limit.
Camera IconAmber Heard’s lawyer says she can’t pay her ex-husband Johnny Depp more than $ 10 million in damages after her high-profile defamation lawsuit. This is what happens if money is not accumulated. Credit: AP
Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez, said Wednesday that the verdict confirmed “that the allegations against Johnny Depp are defamatory and not supported by any evidence.”
When asked today if Heard could pay the $ 10.35 million, Bredehoft said “absolutely no.”
Legal analyst Emily D. Baker told PEOPLE, “Getting the lawsuit is one thing. Getting the money is something completely different.”
Baker said both parties, through their representatives, could negotiate the payment once the verdict is handed down on June 24. He added that if Depp decides not to pursue the money, there could be a statement saying “they do not intend to enforce the sentence.”
“If they want to enforce the sentence that initiates an independent process in court, of possible allocation of property, establishing ways to pay,” he said.
Camera Icon When asked today if Heard could pay the $ 10.35 million, Bredehoft said “absolutely no.” Credit: Evelyn Hockstein / AP
“I imagine they will try to get a court order to prevent Amber Heard from repeating statements that the jury found to be defamatory.”
The jury also awarded Heard $ 2 million in her counterclaim, concluding that she was defamed by a Depp attorney who accused her of creating a hoax around allegations of abuse.
The trial captivated TV viewers, including passionate social media followers who analyzed the actors ’behaviors, their costume choices, and their alcohol and drug use.
Camera Icon Actor Johnny Depp’s lawyers, Camille Vasquez, on the right, said the verdict confirmed “that the allegations against Johnny Depp are defamatory and not supported by any evidence.” Credit: CRAIG HUDSON / AP
While the case was ostensibly about defamation, most of the testimony focused on whether Heard had been physically and sexually abused, as she claimed. Depp denied hearing Heard and that she was the aggressor.
Both performers emerge with unclear perspectives. Depp, 58, was a profitable star until recent years, with credits in Pirates of the Caribbean movies. However, he lost that role and was replaced in the spin-off of Harry Potter Fantastic Beasts.
Heart’s 36-year career has been more modest, and his only two close roles are in a small film and the sequel to Aquaman.