Johnny Depp’s defamation suit victory over Amber Heard was a shock to some, and his next move has been even more startling.
Johnny Depp’s lawyers have hinted that the Hollywood superstar may not receive his $ 10.4 million (AUD $ 14.4 million) payment from ex-wife Amber Heard, insisting he is pleased with his “earnings. total “which eventually erases his name.
“Obviously we can’t disclose the communications between the lawyer and the client, but as Mr. Depp stated … this was never about money for Mr. Depp,” said one of the star’s lawyers, Ben Chew, in Good Morning America (GMA) when asked about Heard’s fear of becoming impoverished.
“It was about restoring his reputation, and he’s done it,” Mr. Chew said carefully.
“It was a total victory for Johnny,” he said.
On Wednesday, in a live interview on America’s Today, Chew also dismissed the possibility of the actress reversing the decision, the New York Post reported.
“We are very confident that there are no errors that justify any kind of successful appeal,” he said.
His lawyer, Camille Vasquez, the popular lawyer who herself became a celebrity and this week was promoted to partner in her law firm, described as “disappointing” what Heart’s team called victory. a blow to women’s rights and the #MeToo movement.
He said the actress was shot dead by them “using his words against her”.
“The key to victory was to focus on the facts and the evidence, and Johnny’s chance to tell the truth for the first time,” he told GMA, calling it “six years in the making.”
“Each question asked was related to something I had said before.
“And I think the jury could see, the world could see and hear Miss Heard” about the truth of the couple’s toxic relationship.
“We believe the evidence speaks for itself. … The jury made a unanimous decision based on those facts,” he said.
“We encourage all victims to come forward, domestic violence has no gender,” he said of the evidence presented showing that Depp had also been attacked.
The couple rejected suggestions that social media had unfairly influenced Virginia’s seven jurors. Chew also told Today that it was “absolutely absurd and baseless” to suggest that the overwhelming support Depp received online was part of an orchestrated campaign.
Asked if the actor’s team had helped foster the support, or even paid for it, Vásquez said those claims were “categorically false.”
Instead, Depp won over fans and eventually the jury, because of his “responsibility” in his toxic marriage, Chew told NBC News.
“Johnny owned his problems. He was very sincere about his problems with alcohol and drugs. He was sincere about some unfortunate texts he wrote,” the lawyer said.
“And I think it was a stark contrast to Mrs. Heard who … didn’t take responsibility for anything.”
Vasquez said the victory left Depp with “just an overwhelming sense of relief.”
“He was talking to another friend of ours, a mutual friend of Johnny’s and ours, and he said, ‘I haven’t seen Johnny smile like that in six years.’
Chew also said the actor was “delighted” at the decision. “The weight of the world is off his shoulders. He has regained his life,” he said, echoing the star’s previous statement.
Meanwhile, Ms. Vásquez also mentioned her own unexpected fame of high-profile trial.
“It’s been surreal and, to be honest, a little overwhelming,” he told GMA.
“But if I can be an inspiration to young women who want to go to law school and study and work hard, then it was worth it,” she said.
Depp won his high-profile defamation suit after seven jurors ruled in his favor that a Washington Post opinion piece, Heard, had written about becoming a “public figure representing domestic abuse.” his reputation and damaged his career.
The actor – who was too busy with guitar legend Jeff Beck to be in court to know he had won his case – had said immediately after the victory that being able to tell his truth had left him “alone”. .
“I was given false, very serious and criminal accusations … And six years later, the jury brought me back to life. I’m really humble, “he said.
Heard’s team, however, had already expressed its disdain for the media bombing planned by lawyers this week, even before what they said was broadcast.
“It’s as improper as it is unprofessional that Johnny Depp’s legal team has chosen to take a victory lap to go back decades of how women in the ward can be treated,” Heartd’s spokesman said in a statement.
“What’s next? A movie and merchandising deal?”
The attack came even though Heartd’s own lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, had already given interviews to some of the same media the morning after the loss, blaming him for Depp’s team’s approach to ” demonize Amber and suppress the evidence “.
On Wednesday, Chew said his rival’s accusations had been “very disappointing to hear.”
“The evidence came that he should come in and the judge was very fair with both parties,” he insisted.
Heart’s team also criticized her ex-husband for going to TikTok and criticizing the widespread support she has received.
“As Johnny Depp says ‘moving forward,’ women’s rights are receding,” a Heard spokesman said in a statement.
“The message of the verdict on victims of domestic violence is … be afraid to get up and talk.”
The Washington Post has since added a detailed note from the editor to Heard’s comment to highlight how it was considered defamatory.
This story was originally published by the New York Post and has been reproduced here with permission.