Pirates of the Caribbean actor Johnny Depp was awarded a total of $15million (£12m) in compensatory and punitive damages after a jury determined Heard, 36, did defame him in a 2018 article she wrote about her domestic abuse experiences.
Depp initially sued Heard, 58, for $50m (£40m), but she countersued for $100m (£80m).
With the jury’s verdict in the actor’s favor, the jury decided to award him $10m (£7m) in compensatory damages as well as $5m (£3.9m) in punitive damages.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are capped at $350,000 (£279k) under Virginia law. Heard was also awarded $2m (£1.6m) in compensatory damages, so Depp’s total is now $8.35m (£6.7m).
In light of the explosive six-week trial that ended last week, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft announced that the Aquaman actress couldn’t afford to pay the damages. She plans on filing a lawsuit for damages. Heard was alleged to have lost work in Hollywood due to her legal dispute with Depp during the trial.
The attorneys for Depp appeared on US morning television on Wednesday to discuss their victory.
On Good Morning America, Stephanopoulos asked Heard and Depp whether she could opt out of an appeal in exchange for Depp waiving her damages.
Chew replied: ‘We can’t disclose attorney-client communications but as Mr. Depp testified and as we both made clear in our respective closings, this was never about money for Mr. Depp.
‘This was about restoring his reputation and he’s done that.’
He added: ‘We have to be careful what we say but this was about Mr. Depp’s reputation, that’s what this was about for him.’
Chew later praised his client for taking ‘accountability’ and ‘owning his issues’ for being open about his alcohol and drug issues.
‘He was candid about some unfortunate texts that he wrote, and I think it was a sharp contrast to Ms. Heard, who didn’t seem… or at least the jury may have perceived that she didn’t take accountability for anything,’ he said.
He added: ‘The key to victory was focusing on the facts and the evidence and Johnny’s opportunity to speak the truth for the first time. He was able to connect with the jury and the general public and tell what really happened.’
During the trial, Vasquez said, the legal team received an incredible amount of attention that was ‘overwhelming’.
As Depp continues to rebuild his reputation, Amber Heard’s legal team has released a statement that says ‘women’s rights are moving backward’.
‘The verdict’s message to victims of domestic violence is … be afraid to stand up and speak out,’ they said.
In response, Vasquez said: ‘It’s disappointing. We’re only speaking about what happened in this case and the facts, in this case, were overwhelmingly positive for Johnny. The verdict speaks for itself.’
Would Johnny Depp be willing to waive Amber Heard’s $8,000,000 damages? Share your thoughts in the comments section below:
Source: Good Morning America
As a Domestic Violence Survivor, a woman like Amber Heard is a danger and disgusting to someone who’s actually been abused! She lied and tried to manipulate the system because she was pissed off at a man! She has a lot of mental and personal issues she needs help with! She set back the Domestic Violence Advocation by trying to misuse and manipulate it for her personal use!!!!! The Jury was 100% correct and she needs to grow up and except some responsibility for her actions and choices! Basically, she turns my stomach, I’ve lived through Domestic Violence, she tried to use it and lie!
I believe AH needs to be held accountable for her own destruction. She came out after she lost and made more insulting comments. When is she going to learn, quit talking when you are lying, losing, or trying to just be abusive! She showed by her post verdict statements that she hasn’t learned at all!
I think he probably would waive the $8 million, however, I don’t think it would be a good idea because I could see Amber using that money she would have had to pay to him towards the appeal she wants so bad.
Not once did AH show real proof of any abuse. And if she did get assaulted with a alcohol bottle, there would be severe damages. For one there would be a vacuum with the opened bottle and would get stuck inside of her. Or her vagina would get severely damaged by the cap. And if he did hit her repeatedly, she would need to be seen and her face fixed with those rings on his fingers. Took plenty of pictures that could be staged, but NOTHING with pictures of herself with injuries. And if she didn’t say anything when the police showed up to protect JD, why did she go get a TRO later?? She is full of lies. But I hope this helps anyone fight for domestic violence!!!
I firmly believe he was right and she was wrong. They are threatening to sue for lost wages because of the trial. This does not work. I know from experience. Lost wages for court can not be used like this. Too funny. Being on jury with lost wages you cannot sue for that either lol, but if she does this and they actually find in her behalf all the jury should sue for same reason from her. Serve her right.
Anyway I think it would be very manly of him to waive the fees. Don’t lower yourself to her level Johnny Depp. She will always be on your back it you don’t just let her go with AGREEMENT NOT TO BOTHER HIM AGAIN. At this time I would like to also say he should NOT take them up on returning as the Pirate Jack Sparrow. And he should let them know if they get a replacement they need to make them different than him as well. We might miss him as this character, but think this would lower himself to them as well. Get better jobs, make your own scripts!!! Would love to see a movie about Johnny Depp, man and actor. Or some fantasy movie/show.
This verdict shows that not only women can be victims of abuse. Men can be as well. In light of this, hope more men come forward to end these lies of domestic abuse. However, men stay silent because they must maintain their image as the “man of the house”.