Actor Johnny Depp has won his case against his ex-wife Amber Heard after she claimed she was a victim of domestic abuse.
The Jury found that Amber Heard's statements about her marriage were "false" and she acted with "actual malice" when she told the lies. The jury has awarded Johnny Depp $10m (approx £8m) in compensatory damages and $5m (~£4m) in punitive damages.Despite Johnny Depp winning the trial, the court has also found that Depp defamed Heard through his attorney and Heard was awarded $2m (£1.6m) as a result.
Johnny Depp, 58, had sued his ex-wife for $50m for an article she wrote, where she claimed to be a victim of domestic abuse. Amber Heard, 36, counter-sued for 100$ as she claimed he had defamed her by calling her a liar.The jury did not believe one instance of abuse detailed by Heard on the stand judging by her lawyer's closing statement which made clear that if they thought the two were "both abusive to each other" or "If Amber was abused even one time" then she wins.Amber Heard alleged numerous instances of emotional, verbal, physical and sexual assault.
Despite this, the jury found that she had lied and defamed Depp by painting herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse".The two both issued statements after the verdict was released. Amber Heard said that she was "heartbroken" by the result and that "the disappointment" she feels "is beyond words."Johnny Depp on the other hand said: "The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled".Millions of people have been watching the trial online as live broadcasts of the courtroom have been available on numerous platforms including TikTok and YouTube. Depp supporters took a liking to the actor's lawyer, Camille Vasquez and several supportive video edits of her questioning Heard and other witnesses have become viral on social media.