Following the recent outcome of the Depp-Heard court case today (1 June), onlookers are wondering what will happen now Johnny Depp has won his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.
The high-profile libel case at Fairfax County Courtroom concluded last week, with the jury having since announced their unanimous decision that Heard did, in fact, defame him on all three counts in a 2018 op-ed which she wrote.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor sued his ex-wife over the article in The Washington Post, titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”
Although the article did not mention Depp by name, his lawyers claimed that it falsely implies he physically and sexually abused the Aquaman actress while they were together.
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Heard then counter-sued Depp over comments previously made by his lawyer Adam Waldman, who allegedly referred to her abuse claims as a 'hoax'.
Now that Depp has been awarded $15 million in damages, whilst Heard has been awarded $2 million in compensatory damages for her countersuit, the after-effects of the trial will begin to take place.
Since the jury has supported his civil claim, Depp will be granted the full amount, plus an estimated, unidentified extra amount towards his legal fees.
Despite Heard losing the trial, she could still appeal against the decision made by the jury.
However, reports suggest that a re-trial may not prove effective unless new, significant evidence or testimony comes to light following the jury’s decision.
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Reports also suggest that Heard could sue Depp again for taking the case to court in the first place, as she did win some damages in a counterclaim that Depp’s legal team defamed her during the trial.
Being that the trial has only just come to an end, it is not yet clear which direction things will go in. More to follow...
Featured Image Credit: AlamyTopics: News, Johnny Depp, Amber Heard