The Jury has reached the verdict for the libel case between Johnny Depp and Amber heard after six weeks of court. The jury has finished their deliberations and has declared Heard guilty of abuse and defamation against Depp. In his defamation case against his ex-wife, he was awarded $15 million in damages on Wednesday.
Additionally, Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages in his defamation suit.
The defamation case has been widely reported and publicized by the media for the past six weeks but, the strain and strife have plagued Depp and Heard for nearly 5 years. Heard accused him of abuse and domestic violence after filing for divorce In May of 2016. Heard received $7 million as a result but donated it to charity and the Oscar-nominated superstar actor was cut from multiple film franchises like ‘Fantastic beasts and Where to Find Them’ and ‘Pirates of The Caribbean while remaining silent until a few years ago.
Though he was the accused, many believed Depp to be the actual victim and Heard the true abuser. The Case has strung a wave of controversy and pushback from fans who have sided with Depp for his superb acting and down-to-earth personage when seen in public. However, vouching for the actor can not win his case for him.
Though this case has come to an end, it was not the first. In 2019 Depp sued Heard for $50 million for defamation over a WaPo article but lost in the high courts of London. Depp’s Lawyer stated, “implication that Mr. Depp is a domestic abuser is categorically and demonstrably false.” Heard continued to share her story and Depp continued to only deny allegations while allowing his legal team to be his advocators.
Although Depp’s lawsuit fell through back in 2019, It was only 6 weeks ago this year that another case went underway as the situation became even more polarizing. Defamation trials are trials between two opposing parties that decide whether a person’s reputation has been slandered or tarnished by another. The winner would get financial reparations based on the jury verdict. With the #MeToo Movement and Women speaking out against abusers and men who have assaulted them, it is hard for a person to believe a man is innocent. But, Depp finally got his moment to tell all once the defamation trial began.
The case allowed both parties to testify and provide evidence to sway the jury to their side, Heard used Depp’s drug and alcohol use as reasons why he abused her and caused her psychological trauma. She claimed he would black out and would not remember his antics and attacks while under the influence.
Depp says that Heard was actually abusing him and his legal team provided pictures of his severed finger which he accused heard of doing, he claimed that she left feces on his bed in the morning blaming it on the dogs and that she had an affair was controversial Hollywood actor James Franco who has been fairly quiet in the media since his sexual assault allegations back in 2019.
Throughout the case Heard can be seen nervous and acting fearful of Depp whenever he is near, staring at him numerous times while in the courtroom and acting a bit shaken up by his presence. All the while Depp has been since as docile in terms of Heard and very close and comfortable with his lawyer Camille Vasquez.
Witnesses who testified for Heard spoke to help sway the jury while Depp’s witnesses did the same. Depps sisters and childhood friends spoke out, while Heard’s sister did the same. After six weeks the Jury agreed on a verdict that would be received as a result of the trial. Although the case has money on the line, the witnesses wish the best for both parties and see two broken and estranged ex-lovers who need healing.
Written by Mikal Eggleston
Source:
NBC: Live
Featured Image Courtesy of Asim Bharwani’s Flickr Page Creative Commons License
Inset Image Courtesy of Gage Skidmore’s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
