Following months of deliberation, a verdict has been reached in Johnny Depp’s defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. A jury found unanimously in favor of the actor and Hollywood Vampires guitarist, TMZ reported. Depp sued his ex-wife over an op-ed article she wrote for The Washington Post alleging the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star of abuse. Depp was suing Heard for $50 million, and though he is not specifically named in the article, he claimed it cost him lucrative acting roles. Heard was countersuing for $100 million, and the trial had been ongoing since March.
The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. The jury also awarded Heard $2 million in her countersuit which was based on Depp’s lawyer accusing Heard of concocting a story for police under the direction of her lawyer and publicist. The judge reduced the $5 million punitive damage award for Depp as Virginia law caps punitive damages at $350,000. The net result is that Heard owes Depp $8,350,000.
“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,” Depp wrote in a statement. “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 traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my 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 and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and 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.”
Heard also released a statement following the verdict: “The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. 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 clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously.”
Recently, Hole guitarist/singer and actress Courtney Love commented on the court case and situation via her Instagram in a since-deleted post, and she shared that the Hollywood Vampires guitarist saved her life. “I don’t really wanna make judgments publicly, but I just want to tell you that Johnny gave me CPR in 1995 when I overdosed outside the Viper Room,” Love said. The Hole singer/guitarist also said Depp was there for her daughter when Love was in the throes of addiction.
Depp joined Alice Cooper’s supergroup, Hollywood Vampires, in 2012 alongside Aerosmith guitarist Joe Perry. Cooper previously defended Depp’s character to NME. “Johnny Depp and I are best friends… I’ve never seen him lift a finger against anybody,” Cooper said to NME. “He’s one of the most gentle people. And all of his former girlfriends and wives say the same thing. It’s really hard to believe that all of a sudden he’s gonna turn into this monster. And I know the guy — I’m with the guy on tour all the time. He’s one of the most gentle, harmless people I’ve ever met.”
Perry also defended Depp saying: “After living at JOHNNYS house and working in his studio with him for countless hours you REALLY get to know someone,” Perry wrote. “JOHNNY DEPP has a heart as big as the world, generous and giving… and is a gentle man… in the true sense of the word!!!!! THE TRUTH WILL COME OUT.”
- Sum 41 Frontman Reveals Why Band Is Ending - April 27, 2024
- Nikki Sixx Elaborates On Mick Mars Leaving Motley Crue - April 27, 2024
- Ozzy Argues Case For Legendary Band To Enter Rock Hall - April 26, 2024
