- In a defamation trial between Hollywood star Johnny Depp (58) and his ex-wife Amber Heard (36), a jury of seven gave their verdict.
- The jury ruled that Amber Heard had defamed her ex-husband Johnny Depp. She was ordered to pay $ 15 million in damages.
- At the same time, the jury concluded that Depp had not slandered his ex-wife.
The jury rules in favor of Amber Heard’s counterclaim that Johnny Depp’s attorney has called her allegations of abuse unfair. He is to receive $ 2 million in compensation.
The jury was largely on Depp’s side – but Heard was also right on some points. Seven jurors told Judge Penney Azcarate in a court in Fairfax County, Virginia.
Short review by US correspondent Viviane Manz
Open the box. Close the box
The jury decided – this is a surprisingly clear defeat for Amber Heard. Hearing maliciously lied to about being a victim of domestic violence, Johnny Depp is satisfied.
But in a dispute between two superstars, millions of viewers previously rated a clearly destructive relationship through a live broadcast.
On social media, most quickly denounced Amber Heard as a liar and defended Johnny Depp as the victim. Regardless of what happened in this case, some fear that this is a signal that will make victims of domestic violence even more afraid to fight back.
Specifically, the jury awarded Depp ten plus five million dollars in damages, the latter amount being reduced to $ 350,000 by the judge because of the Virginia law. The jury awarded Heard $ 2 million in compensation. Ultimately, according to the verdict, Heard must pay Depp $ 8.35 million. An appeal in the case is considered probable.
Previously, the return of the judgment was delayed because the jury did not enter what it deemed appropriate compensation on the appropriate form. Heard, dressed in black, followed the verdict in court, Depp did not show up.
Many onlookers and fans, especially Depp, gathered in front of the court who cheered after the verdict and shouted “Johnny, Johnny.”
Previously, Depp, 58, and Heard, 36, made serious defamation allegations for six weeks – disseminated worldwide via cameras via live streaming.
Depp’s lawsuit, Heard’s counterclaim
Open the box. Close the box
The civil suit between the former husbands Depp (“Pirates of the Caribbean”) and Heard (“Aquaman”) caused a stir for six weeks. In his civil lawsuit, Depp claims his ex-wife made false statements in a 2018 Washington Post article on domestic violence. It destroyed his reputation. Depp is suing approximately $ 50 million (almost 48 million francs) for libel, Heard has filed a counterclaim for $ 100 million.
Depp repeatedly emphasized during this trial that he never used physical violence against Heard. Heard says the opposite is true.
Both actors met in 2009 during the filming of the joint movie “The Rum Diary”. They married in 2015, but after 15 months of marriage, Heard filed for divorce.
In their final arguments, lawyers on both sides reiterated serious allegations of sexual abuse, physical abuse, lying and drug abuse. Depp sued for $ 50 million in libel damages. In her counterclaim, Heard demanded $ 100 million.
Heard filed for divorce in 2016 after just 15 months of marriage. She accused the Hollywood star of domestic violence.