Johnny Depp files an appeal. Image Source: Salon.com
Johnny Depp files an appeal.
According to the reports, actor-musician Johnny Depp filed a notice of appeal on Friday seeking to overturn the $2 million verdict that was announced for Amber Heard at the Fairfax County Court, Virginia.
The jury of Fairfax County Court announced on June 1, 2022, that Amber Heard did try to defame Johnny Depp when she wrote an essay for the Washington Post in which she described herself as a survivor of domestic abuse and violence. Even though she did not name Johnny Depp in her op-ed, it was understood that the essay was intended to defame Johnny Depp, as in 2016, Amber Heard obtained a restraining order against the actor.
The jury rewarded Johnny Depp with over $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, which was later reduced to $350,000 according to Virginia’s statutory cap. The jury also awarded Amber Heard $2 million after siding with her on one of her three counterclaims, finding Johnny Depp had defamed her through comments made by his attorney Adam Waldman in 2020.
A source close to Johnny Depp mentioned that the actor was overwhelmed with the positive verdict and believes that this is a time for both of them to move on with their lives and heal. But since Amber Heard is determined to pursue further litigation by filing an appeal to challenge the verdict that was announced almost a month ago, Johnny Depp is going to file a concurrent appeal to ensure that the full record and all relevant legal issues are considered by the Court of Appeal.
This is in response to allegations that Amber Heard also appealed the decision, challenging it because she and her legal counsel believe the court's mistakes precluded a reasonable and fair decision that was in line with the First Amendment. A representative for Amber Heard stated that this is the reason they are appealing the decision and added that they are aware that doing so will set Twitter ablaze, but that they must take these actions to guarantee fairness and justice.
After Amber Heard filed an appeal to challenge the verdict, a spokesperson for Johnny Depp mentioned that the jury heard the extensive evidence presented in the courtroom by both parties during a six-week long trial and then came to a clear and unanimous verdict that Amber Heard did defame Johnny Depp in multiple instances. Johnny Depp’s team mentioned that they are confident in their case and that the verdict that was announced will stand.
The appeals from Johnny Depp and Amber Heard come just a few weeks after Judge Penney S. Azcarate denied Amber Heard’s motion to dismiss the verdict and declared a mistrial after Amber Heard’s jury fraud claim on July 13th, 2022. Judge Penney S. Azcarate said that the juror was vetted, heard the witnesses and evidence presented in the courtroom, deliberated, and reached a clear decision.
Johnny Depp, after the verdict was announced on June 1, 2022, released a long statement on his social media where he mentioned that his decision to pursue the case, knowing how many legal hurdles he would be facing, was a worldwide spectacle of his life, was only made after considerable thought. The actor mentioned that the only goal he had with the case was to reveal the truth regardless of the outcome. Johnny Depp said that the truth was something that he owed to his children, fans, family, and friends who had believed in him and supported him throughout the journey.
The actor lastly mentioned a thank you to everyone who was involved in the case and said that the jury gave him his life back and he is at peace knowing that he has finally accomplished that. Johnny Depp signed his statement by adding that the best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.
Amber Heard voiced her grief at the decision and expressed disappointment. She said that the volume of evidence that was produced in court was insufficient to disprove her ex-dominance, husband's authority, and control. She continued, saying she thought Johnny Depp's lawyers were successful in getting the jury to ignore the crucial issue of free speech as well as the evidence that was so convincing that they were successful in the U.K. She expressed her regret at having lost the lawsuit, but she felt much worse about having forfeited the freedom of speech she believed she enjoyed as an American.
In her interview with NBC News’ Savannah Guthrie, Amber Heard mentioned that she holds no ill will against Johnny Depp but admits that she understands how the jury reached its decision. She went on to say that the jury could not have reached the verdict they did because they had sat in those seats for three weeks and heard nonstop relentless testimony from paid employees and, near the end of the trial, randos and that she does not blame them but understands. He's a beloved character, and people feel they know him. He's a fantastic actor.
Amber Heard is engaged in a legal dispute with her insurance company, The New York Marine and General Insurance Company, who according to the actress is liable to cover her costs of the trial. But The New York Marine and General Insurance Company has denied covering the costs because they believe that the actress' actions were calculative and she wrote the op-ed intending to defame Johnny Depp.
