Entertainment

Amber Heard speaks after losing Johnny Depp Defamation case

Published

3 years ago

June 1, 2022

Moments after a jury in Fairfax, Virginia awarded Johnny Depp $15 million in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard, the “Aquaman” actress issued a statement saying she was “heartbroken” by the loss..

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence, and sway of my ex-husband,” Heard said in a statement.

Heard then described the jury’s decision a loss for all women who have been victims of domestic violence.

“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,” she added. “I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.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.”

Depp sued Heard for $50 million, saying her 2018 Washington Post op-ed defamed him. She counter-sued for $100 million.

While Depp was the bigger winner Wednesday, the jury also found in favor of Heard. Jurors said Depp should be awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million dollars in punitive damages, while Heard should receive $2 million and no money for punitive damages.