If you’ve been following the Amber Heard Johnny Depp defamation trial as closely as we have, you’re certainly eager to learn the decision on his case. Below, we’ll go through how it all started and what we know so far concerning the trial:
How it all started:
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million, claiming that she slandered him in a December 2018 editorial in the Washington Post. She professed to be a victim of violence and abuse in the article, a claim she originally made during their acrimonious divorce proceedings in Los Angeles in 2016. Since their split reached a settlement out of court, Heard was never able to establish she was assaulted. Despite not using Depp’s name, the editorial gave the idea that she was abused because she was assaulted during her tumultuous 15-month marriage to him.
Johnny and his old lawyer were furious with Heard’s statements, and in March 2019, they launched a lawsuit against him. According to Depp’s lawsuit, “Ms. Heard is not a victim of domestic abuse; she is a perpetrator”. Heard countersued Depp for $100 million, claiming she was defamed by Depp’s former lawyer’s public remarks, which included the terms ‘fake’ and ‘hoax’.
When will the final verdict for the defamation trial be out?
Amber Heard’s defamation trial has run its course in the lawsuit launched against her by ex-husband Johnny Depp. The jury is currently debating whether Amber did disparage Johnny in her op-ed after six weeks of testimony. Deliberation by the jury might take anywhere from a few hours to several days. Before releasing jurors to discuss on Friday afternoon, Judge Penney Azcarate warned them that their verdict had to be unanimous. “I know that this trial has been a huge sacrifice for all of you and taken away from your life for weeks on end here,” Azcarate told the jury. Since there is so much information and testimony to examine in this case, a decision is unlikely to be made before the end of May or the beginning of June 2022.
Closing statement for Johnny Depp:
Depp’s attorneys urged jurors to “give him his life back” after claiming that Heard’s accusations of physical assault destroyed his life. They said Heard would rather brawl than letting the actor go, that her allegations were an act of terrible cruelty to actual survivors. “What Ms. Heard testified to in this courtroom is the story of far too many women,” attorney Camille Vasquez said. “But the overwhelming evidence and weight of that evidence shows that it’s not her story. It’s not Ms. Heard’s story. It was an act of profound cruelty, not just to Mr. Depp, but to true survivors of domestic abuse. For Ms. Heard to hold herself out as a public figure representing domestic abuse. It was false, it was defamatory and it cause irreparable harm”.
Related: What is Johnny Depp’s Q Score?
Closing statement for Amber Heard:
Ben Rottenborn, Heard’s attorney, told jurors that if Depp cannot show he never mistreated Heard, she should win the lawsuit. “Mr. Depp simply cannot prove to you that he never once abused Amber,” Rottenborn said. “A ruling against Amber here sends the message that no matter what you do as an abuse victim, you always have to do more. No matter what you document, you always have to document more. Doesn’t matter who you tell, you always have to tell more people. No matter how honest you are about your own imperfections and your own shortcomings in a relationship, you need to be perfect in order for people to believe you. Don’t send that message”.
Related: Johnny Depp Memes That Bring The Hurt to Amber Heard – Animated Times
What will happen after the verdict is out?
If Johnny prevails against Amber, the jury will have concluded that Amber defamed him, and the actor will be awarded damages. Johnny is seeking $50 million in fines, but the jury may suggest that the Pirates of the Caribbean star be awarded more or less than that amount. It’s important to remember that neither Johnny nor Amber are facing criminal accusations. Because this is a civil matter, Amber will not be sentenced to prison even if the jury rules in Johnny’s favor, and vice versa.
Related: “I’ve a baby, I want to move on” – Amber Heard Breaks Down Crying During The Trial
