For the past seven weeks, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have been embroiled in a civil lawsuit against one another.
The case took place in Fairfax County, Virginia where Depp sued Heard, his ex-wife, for $50 million over an op-ed she wrote back in 2018 for The Washington Post claiming she was a domestic abuse victim. The article did not directly name Depp as the individual, but it was implied given the timing of the story following the couple’s divorce. Depp claimed this cost him a number of high-profile roles in moves, thus affecting his income.
Meanwhile, Heard countersued her ex-husband, whom she was married to from 2015 to 2017, for $100 million for accusing her of making false allegations.
Over the past few weeks, private matters between Depp and Heard have been laid bare for public consumption as the civil suit has caused a media storm around the globe.
The Verdict
On Wednesday, June 1, 2022, the jury found Heard guilty of all three counts of defamation following the publishing of her Washington Post article. The judge ordered Heard to pay her ex-husband a total of $15 million in damages – $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Meanwhile, Depp was found guilty of one count of defamation and has been ordered to pay $2 million in compensatory damages to his ex-wife.
Johnny Depp’s statement
View this post on Instagram
Following his civil lawsuit victory, Depp issued a heartfelt statement of what has ensued in his life over the past six years and said he was ready for a “new chapter”.
Read his full statement below.
“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye.
“False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already travelled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and career.
“And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled. My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.
“From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me.I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that. I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world.
“I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.
“I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff & the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, & to my diligent & unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.
“The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes.”
Amber Heard’s statement
View this post on Instagram
However, following the verdict, Heard shared her “disappointment” over the ruling saying she was “heartbroken”.
“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” she said in a statement. “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband.
“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”
According to the BBC, Heard plans to appeal the decision.
– For more on luxury lifestyle, news, fashion and beauty follow Emirates Woman on Facebook and Instagram
Images: Getty
