Johnny Depp – Amber Heard Trial: Judge praises lawyers and judicial staff for “professionalism”
After six weeks of testimony, the jury finally began deliberations in the high-profile defamation battle between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard on Friday.
Although no verdict was handed down on Friday, Judge Penney Azcarate, who dismissed the jurors over the holiday weekend, applauded both sides’ legal teams and judicial staff for their professionalism throughout the process. judicial.
“I just want to thank you all for your professionalism and effort during this case,” he said.
“It’s much easier to be a judge when you have excellent lawyers in front of you,” he said.
“And I also want to thank the lawyers and litigants for the kindness and great behavior you have shown to my staff. And the court staff and the sheriff’s department deputies are very grateful. It means a lot to me, “Judge Azcarate said.
The courtroom burst out laughing at this last comment and people began to applaud, to which Judge Azcarate smiled, “Well, that’s the first thing.”
The Fairfax County Courthouse, Virginia, also witnessed a rare moment when Heard’s attorney, Elaine Bredehoft, thanked the judge for her work in the case.
Moments later, Depp’s lawyer, Ben Chew, agreed with Bredehoft, but accidentally disagreed. “This is something that Miss Bredehoft and I respectfully disagree with, completely agree with!” He said.
Judge Azcarate also joked, “Okay. I’m glad we finally got a deal on the last day.”
The jury, which received the case on Friday afternoon, will return on Tuesday. The verdict on the highly publicized defamation trial is expected to be announced this week.