At last, the most controversial trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has ended. On Wednesday, 2 June 2022, the jury in Virginia concluded the trial by deciding in favor of the Pirates of the Caribbean star, Mr. Johnny Depp.
After the ruling, Johnny’s lawyer stated that the jury’s verdict “confirms” what she and her team said from the beginning.
“We insisted that Amber Heard’s allegations were false, and there was no evidence to prove her claims right from the beginning of this trial.”
While speaking outside the court in Fairfax, Virginia, the triumphant Camille Vasquez applauded the jury, five men and two women, for their judgment.
According to the verdict, the jury decided that Amber Heard did defame Johnny Depp with her 2018 Washington Post op-ed.
The jury awarded Depp $15 million in damages and Heard $2 million for one part of her counter-claim.
‘Today’s verdict confirms what we have said from the beginning – that the claims against Johnny Depp are defamatory and unsupported by any evidence,’ said Vasquez.
‘We are grateful, so grateful to the jury for their careful deliberation.’
While the decision was being made in the court’s final session, Johhny Depp was not present in court. According to his lawyers, Depp had to fly to England to perform with his band.
On the other hand, Amber Heard expressed her disappointment with the jury’s decision by saying that “she is heartbroken and that it is a major setback for women.”
“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” she added.
‘I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to my ex-husband’s disproportionate power, influence, and sway.
‘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.
‘I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly.’ The Aquaman actress concluded.
Meanwhile, Johnny Depp thanked the jury and said their verdict had finally given him his life back.
‘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,’ the actor took to his Instagram.
He said he was faced with an ‘endless barrage of hateful content.’
‘From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome,’ he continued in his post.
‘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.’
He went on to say that he hopes his ‘quest to have the truth’ has helped others who have found themselves in his ‘situation’ never to give up.
Amber Heard has the option to appeal against this decision. However, the legal analysts believe it won’t be effective unless she has some strong evidence.
What are your thoughts on the verdict? Share your comments below.
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