The six-week trial examining actor Johnny Depp’s allegations that ex-wife Amber Heard defamed him has finally concluded with the jury finding in Depp’s favor. In order to tell the world what their views are on the final verdict, both parties released their statements.
On Wednesday, a US jury ruled in favor of Depp, saying that his ex-wife had defamed him. It awarded The Pirates of the Caribbean actor $15 million in damages from Heard. The panel awarded Heard $2 million in damages.
“Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed.
“False, very serious, and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled,” wrote the Charlie and the Chocolate Factory actor.
His statement:
Depp said he had pursued this very public case aware of the “height of the legal hurdles” after considerable thought. “From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome,” he said, adding that it is what he owed to his children and his supporters.
“I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that,” he shared. The Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them actor felt overwhelmed by the love and support he has been shown from around the world.
“I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation,” he said. “I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.”
He thanked the judge, court staff, and his legal team for doing an extraordinary job in helping him share the truth. “The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes,” he concluded.
Amber Heard releases her statement:
“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,” she wrote as she released her statement on Instagram.
She called the verdict a setback for women. “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.”
The Justice League actor claimed that her ex-husband’s attorneys had succeeded in getting the jury to ignore the key issue which was freedom of speech as well as the evidence that was conclusive enough to have gotten her a win 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,” she ended the note. The defamation trial began on April 11 and concluded on Wednesday.
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