On June 1, 2022, Johnny Depp was awarded $10.35 million in damages after winning a defamation trial against his ex-wife, Amber Heard. The jury also awarded Heard $2 million in damages in her counterclaim.
The trial began in April 2021, when Depp sued Heard for defamation over an op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018. In the article, Heard did not name Depp, but referred to an unnamed ex-husband who she said had been abusive to her. Depp denied the allegations and argued that the article damaged his reputation and cost him work.
The jury sided with Depp and found that Heard had defamed him. They awarded him $15 million in damages, which was later reduced to $10.35 million. The jury also found that Depp had defamed Heard in his own statements and awarded her $2 million in damages.
The trial has been closely watched by fans of both Depp and Heard, as well as those interested in the broader implications of the case. Depp’s lawyers argued that the case was about protecting his reputation and the reputation of other victims of domestic violence. Heard’s lawyers argued that the case was an attempt to silence her and other victims of domestic violence.
The case has also been seen as a victory for Depp’s legal team, who have been criticized for their aggressive tactics in defending their client. Depp’s lawyers have also been accused of using the trial to try to discredit Heard and her allegations of domestic violence.
No matter what one’s opinion of the case is, the outcome is clear: Johnny Depp was awarded $10.35 million in damages and Amber Heard was awarded $2 million in damages. The case is a reminder that victims of domestic violence should not be silenced and that those who make false allegations of abuse should be held accountable.
