The legal battle between actors and ex-spouses Johnny Depp and Amber Heard may not be over yet.
Following the loss of Heard in the defamation suit against her ex-husband Depp, a spokesman for the Aquaman actor told The New York Times that he plans to appeal Virginia’s verdict. Several other entertainment publications also confirmed its supposed appeal.
On Wednesday, a jury in Fairfax, Virginia, ruled in favor of Depp, 58, and ruled that Heard, 36, had been defamed on three charges, and awarded him $ 15 million in damages. The judge later reduced that amount to $ 10.35 million.
Heard also received a partial victory, receiving $ 2 million in a claim that Depp’s former lawyer and press officer defamed her when she described her domestic abuse allegations against the Pirates of the Caribbean actor “a abuse deception “designed to take advantage of #MeToo. movement.
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Read more: Jury returns verdict in favor of Johnny Depp in defamation lawsuit with Amber Heard
The lawsuit filed by Depp revolved around a December 2018 opinion piece that Heard wrote in The Washington Post in which he described himself as “a public figure representing domestic abuse.”
His lawyers say Depp’s life and career were devastated by the article, which did not say his name.
Depp sued Heard for $ 50 million, while she filed a $ 100 million counterclaim.
In his verdict, the Fairfax County Circuit Court jury sided with Depp, believing he had not abused Heard. The ruling also states that Heard defamed Depp in the opinion piece “with malice” or knowing the intent of a false statement.
Depp was not present in court when the verdict was read. Heard, who was attending, appeared alongside his legal team.
Following the presentation of the verdict, Heard issued a statement on Wednesday saying the “disappointment I feel today is beyond words.”
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– Amber Heard (@realamberheard) June 1, 2022
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“It hurts me that the mountain of evidence was still not enough to deal with my ex-husband’s disproportionate power, influence and dominance,” she wrote.
“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means to other women. It’s a setback. It sets the clock back to a time when a woman who spoke and spoke could be embarrassed and publicly humiliated. It revokes the idea that violence against women it has to be taken seriously, “Heard continued.
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The jury returns the verdict in favor of Johnny Depp in the defamation trial with Amber Heard
“I am sorry to have lost this case. But I am even sadder because I seem to have lost a right that I thought I had as an American: to speak freely and openly,” the statement concluded.
Read more: Johnny Depp calls Amber Heard’s accusations crazy while defamation lawsuit continues
Depp also made a public statement after his victory.
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“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the life of those closest to me, and also the life of the people, who for many, many years have supported me and believed me, went change forever. All in the blink of an eye, “he wrote.
“I was accused of making false, very serious and criminal accusations through the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hate content, even though no charges were brought against me. I had already traveled around the world two times in a nanosecond and had a seismic impact on my life and career, “he continued.
“And six years later, the jury brought me back to life. I am really humble, “he wrote.
Read more: Amber Heard’s sister testifies, says she witnessed first-hand abuse of Johnny Depp
Over the past six weeks, the ex-spouses have each presented hundreds of pieces of evidence, dozens of witnesses, and given their own testimony, all in the hopes of portraying the other as the real abuser of the relationship.
Heard’s attorneys said Depp has serious drug and alcohol abuse problems. His legal team filed photos, audio and court text messages, alluding to Depp’s alleged addictions. Heard’s lawyers went on to say that Depp became a “monster” when he was under the influence.
0:49 Defamation Trial: Jury overhears Heard’s alleged audio recording, Depp discussing his drug and alcohol use. Defamation Trial: Jury overhears Heard’s alleged audio recording, Depp talking about his drug and alcohol use – April 21, 2022
Depp, on the other hand, maintained that he had never been addicted to alcohol or drugs (with the exception of Roxicodone, for which he received treatment).
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In the stands, Depp said it was “crazy” to hear Heard’s accusations against him.
3:42 Johnny Depp says listening to Amber Heard’s testimony has been “crazy” Johnny Depp says hearing Amber Heard’s testimony has been “crazy” – May 25, 2022
“It’s crazy to hear atrocious accusations of violence, sexual violence, that’s what I’ve been blamed for,” he said. “I don’t think anyone enjoys having to open up and tell the truth. But there are times when it has to be done because it’s out of control.”
He described the experience as “ridiculous, humiliating, painful, savage, unimaginably brutal and cruel”, as well as calling “false” everything said about him.
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