Amber Heard settles defamation suit filed by Johnny Depp
by Ana Walia | Mon, 19 Dec 2022 16:56:39 GMT
Amber Heard settles the defamation case. Image Source: NBC News 

Amber Heard settles the defamation case.

Actress Amber Heard has finally broken her silence after she decided to settle the defamation lawsuit against her, by her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp. She took to social media on Monday to share a statement that she wants to move on.

Amber Heard wrote in her statement that, after a considerable measure of thought and consideration, she has made a really tough choice to negotiate the defamation case brought against her by her ex-husband Johnny Depp in Virginia. She continued to defend her truth, recognizing that doing so had destroyed her life, and she did add that she must specify that she did not choose to do this.

The Aquaman actress went on to say that the vilification she has faced on social media is an inaccurate portrayal of how women are re-victimized when they finally came forward with accusations of domestic abuse. Amber stated that she is eventually able to exculpate herself from something she attempted to leave over six years on terms she can acknowledge.

The actress stated that she has made no admissions, that this is not a compromise, and that there would be no limitations or punchlines on her speech in the future. Amber Heard also noted her 2020 trial in the United Kingdom, where The Sun was justified in characterizing Johnny Depp as a "wifebeater" in an article published in 2018.



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Amber claimed that when she stood before a judge in the U.K., she was proven right by a rigorous, unbiased, and reasonable system where she was guarded against having to give the worst instances of her life as a witness statement in front of the international press and where the jury ruled out that she was exposed to domestic and sexual violence. She added that in the U.S., however, she completely drained almost all of her resources ahead of time and throughout a trial in which she was confined to a court of law in which plenteous, direct substantial proof that confirmed her testimony was exempted and in which fame and power made a difference more than purpose and fair trials.

The actress went on to say that during the intervening period, she was subjected to the embarrassment that she simply cannot relive and that even if her US appeal is successful, the best possible outcome would be a new trial in which a new jury will have to look at the evidence again, and she cannot simply undergo the same thing for the third time. She mentioned that time is valuable and she wants to spend her time more wisely and deliberately, and for too many years, she has indeed been caged in a strenuous and costly lawyers process that has proven itself unable to safeguard her and her right to free speech. Amber stated that she can no longer afford to risk incurring an impossible bill—one that is not only financial but also mental, physiological, and sentimental. She went on to say that women should not have to face abuse or bankruptcy as a result of speaking their truth, but unfortunately, this is not uncommon.

Amber Heard stated that by settling her case, she is also making the choice the freedom to devote her time to the task that has helped her heal following her divorce; work that exists in realms where she feels noticed, listened to, and did believe, and where she understands she can make a difference. The actress went on to say that she will not be threatened, disheartened, or discouraged by what occurred because she told the truth, and no one can or will take that away from her, emphasizing that her voice will always be her most valuable asset. She went on to thank everyone for their unquestioning support and to turn her focus to the increasing support from the public that she has felt and seen in the months since her trial, as well as the efforts made to show solidarity with her story.


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Finally, Amber Heard asserted that any survivor knows that the ability to share their story is frequently their only reprieve, and she does not find enough words to express to them that the keep hoping of their belief in her inspires her greatly.

Johnny Depp filed a $50 million defamation suit against his ex-wife Amber Heard in March 2019 after she wrote a piece for The Washington Post trying to describe herself as a victim of domestic abuse. Even though Johnny Depp's name was not mentioned in the essay, she chose to publish the op-ed at a time when their divorce was making the news.

The six-week-long defamation lawsuit was held at the Fairfax County Courthouse, Virginia, where the jury anonymously decided to award Johnny Depp with $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, which were later reduced to $350,000 according to the state’s statutory cap. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory actor won all three counts of the defamation lawsuit.

The same jury, however, did side with Amber Heard on one of her counts and found Johnny Depp liable for the comments made against Amber Heard by his lawyer Adam Waldman, in which he referred to Amber Heard’s accusations and claims against Johnny Depp as "a hoax." The jury awarded Amber Heard $2 million in compensatory damages.

Johnny Depp has not commented on the situation yet.

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or go to thehotline.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential.

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