The trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard has captivated the world since it began six weeks ago. The pair are both accused of domestic violence, with graphic evidence heard from each side during opening arguments that gave us a glimpse into their volatile relationship history.
The jury found Amber Heard indeed defamed her ex husband, who was awarded $15 million in damages. However, there were some aspects of her countersuit that earned her $2 million in damages.The five-man, two-woman jury deliberated for three days before coming to such a conclusion.
“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” Heard said after the verdict. “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,” she continued. “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.”
Johnny Depp had been abroad and was absent in court for the verdict, but the result prompted him to make a statement on an Instagram post that generated millions of likes from supporters.
“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,” said Depp. “The jury gave me my life back. From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.”
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard met eleven years ago on the production of The Rum Diary. Although they married in 2015, the couple would separate two years later, and in 2018, Heard wrote a piece on The Washington Post that implied that Depp domestically abused her, setting off the events that would lead to this trial.
