After six weeks of tumultuous testimony, a US jury has sided with Johnny Depp in his libel claim against ex-wife Amber Heard.
On Wednesday, a jury reached a decision in the high-profile defamation case involving Pirates of the Caribbean star Johnny Depp and his ex-wife Amber Heard.
The judge summoned the jury back to add damage amounts before the verdict could be read.
A Northern Virginia jury later decided in Depp’s favor, finding that Heard had falsely accused him of domestic abuse and had thereby defamed him.
Depp was given R232 million in damages in his defamation case, with R150 million in compensatory damages and R77 million in punitive damages.
The verdict also awarded Heard R31 million in compensatory damages.
Following the court’s decision, Heard resorted to social media to vent her feelings.
Heard wrote “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.”
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— Amber Heard (@realamberheard) June 1, 2022
Depp also released a statement in which he stated that he has regained control of his life.
“The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled,” he said.
“From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me.” wrote Depp.