The Pirates of the Caribbean actor was awarded a complete of $15million (£12m) in compensatory and punitive damages after a jury discovered Heard, 36, did defame him in a 2018 article she wrote about her home abuse expertise.
Depp, 58, initially filed the lawsuit suing his ex-wife for $50m (£40m), however Heard then counter-sued for $100m (£80m).
With the decision in his favour, the jury agreed to award the actor $10m (£7m) in compensatory damages and an additional $5m (£3.9m) in punitive damages.
Nonetheless, the punitive damages had been capped at $350,000 (£279k) per Virginia state legislation. Heard herself was additionally awarded $2m (£1.6m) in compensatory damages, due to this fact decreasing Depp’s complete to $8.35m (£6.7m).
After the explosive six-week trial wrapped up final week, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft revealed that the Aquaman actress couldn’t afford to pay the damages, and is now planning on submitting an attraction. It was claimed through the trial that Heard had misplaced work in Hollywood in gentle of the authorized dispute between her and Depp.
Depp’s legal professionals Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew appeared on US morning TV on Wednesday to debate their victory.
Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos requested the pair whether or not it was potential for Heard to forgo an attraction in alternate for Depp waiving the damages she’s required to pay.
Chew replied: ‘We are able to’t disclose attorney-client communications however as Mr Depp testified and as we each made clear in our respective closings, this was by no means about cash for Mr Depp.
‘This was about restoring his repute and he’s completed that.’
Pressed additional, he added: ‘We've to watch out what we are saying however this was about Mr Depp’s repute, that’s what this was about for him.’
Chew later praised his consumer for taking ‘accountability’ and ‘proudly owning his points’ after being open about his alcohol and drug points through the trial.
‘He was candid about some unlucky texts that he wrote, and I feel it was a pointy distinction to Ms Heard, who didn’t appear… or no less than the jury could have perceived that she didn’t take accountability for something,’ he stated.
He added: ‘The important thing to victory was specializing in the information and the proof and Johnny’s alternative to talk the reality for the primary time. He was capable of join with the jury and most of the people and inform what actually occurred.’
Vasquez stated that the immense consideration the authorized crew obtained all through the trial was ‘overwhelming’.
Heard’s authorized crew have since launched a press release saying ‘girls’s rights are shifting backwards’ as Depp continues to rebuild his repute.
‘The decision’s message to victims of home violence is … be afraid to face up and converse out,’ they stated.
In response, Vasquez stated: ‘It’s disappointing. We’re solely talking about what occurred on this case and the information on this case had been overwhelming constructive for Johnny. The decision speaks for itself.’
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