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Amber Heard issues statement, says she is “disappointed” and “heartbroken” after jury delivers verdict

On Wednesday afternoon, the jury delivered its verdict in the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard defamation trial, and according to a statement she released, Amber Heard is not happy about it at all.

amber heard sad in courtroom
Credit: Law & Crime TV

The jury finally delivered its verdict in the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The verdict was read aloud in the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse shortly after 3:00 p.m. EST, as promised by the court earlier in the day.

Johnny Depp has effectively won his case against Amber Heard, proving-according to the jury-that Amber Heard was guilty of all three of his claims against her, including that she acted against him with malice and also related to an op-ed she penned and published in The Washington Post.

The jury awarded Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and zero punitive damages, and those compensatory damages were based on comments made by Depp’s former attorney Adam Waldman, rather than by Depp.

Per Judge Penney Azcarate, there is a cap on punitive damages of $350,000, so the judgment order will be changed to reflect that.

Credit: Law & Crime TV

The defamation trial brought to the surface all kinds of abuse allegationsphysical abuse, domestic abuse, and sexual abuse. Allegations of sexual violence, infidelity, and drug abuse also made up a huge part of the case.

As the jury foreman read the verdict, Miss Heard could be seen in the courtroom with her head hung low. It was clear from the first few seconds of the reading that Mr Depp had won his suit against her.

Johnny Depp was not in the courtroom during the reading of the verdict, as he is in the U. K. performing in a series of concerts with guitarist Jeff Beck, but he did make a public statement in which he talked about his challenges and pain over the past six years, saying that “the jury gave [him] his life back” and that he is “truly humbled” because of it. He ended his statement by saying “truth never perishes.”

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Credit: CBS News

Amber Heard also released a statement, though her words and tone were understandably quite different from Mr Depp’s.

“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.

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 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.”

amber heard with legal team after verdict
Credit: BBC

Amber Heard hugs her lawyer Elaine BredehoftAmber Heard hugs her lawyer Elaine BredehoftImmediately following the reading of the verdict, correspondents with Law & Crime TV and other court tv outlets began to speculate about the probability that Amber Heard will appeal the decision, but only time will tell if she’s willing to keep this cycle going even longer.

Becky Burkett

Becky's from the Lone Star State and has been writing since she was 10 and encountered her first Disney Park when she was 11. It was love at first Main Street Electrical Parade. Joy is blank lined journals, 0.7 mm pens, and all things Walt, Woody and Buzz, PIXAR, Imagineering, Sleeping Beauty (make it blue!), Disney Parks history and EPCOT. At Disney World, you'll find her croonin' with the birdies at the Enchanted Tiki Room or hangin' with Woody and the gang at Toy Story Land. If you can dream, you really can do it!

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