Johnny Depp's lawyers speak out. Image Source: CNN
After Amber Heard announces a settlement, Johnny Depp's lawyers speak out.
Actress Amber Heard recently announced that, after a great deal of deliberation, she has reached a difficult decision to settle the defamation lawsuit brought against her by her ex-husband and actor Johnny Depp.
Now, after Amber Heard’s lengthy statement, Johnny Depp’s lawyers, Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez shared a statement with People saying that they are pleased to formally close the door on this painful chapter in Johnny Depp, adding that the actor had made it pretty much clear throughout the entire process that his priority was only and only to bring the truth to light.
The lawyers added that the jury, which comprised of seven members, unanimous vote managed to reach the verdict, which ultimately results in Johnny Depp’s favor against Amber Heard, and that the verdict remained fully in place. The $1 million that Johnny Depp is vowing and will (actually) give money to charity, according to Benjamin Chew and Camille Vasquez, adding that it serves to reinforce Amber Heard's acknowledgment of the end of the legitimate system's thorough search for justice.
A source close to Johnny Depp added shortly after Amber Heard revealed that they had settled their defamation lawsuit that the decision was in place, but part of the purpose of appealing it for her was both for monetary reasons and to ensure there wasn't a decision in place against her—which has severe repercussions. This judgment is never going to just go away. Johnny Depp has asserted that he was not motivated by financial gain and simply preferred the truth.
The actress evaluated by comparing the US trial to the one held in the UK in her statement, claiming that in the US, popularity, and authority trump reason and equal protection of the law. Amber Heard mentioned that she was vindicated by a robust, impartial and a fair system in the United Kingdom where she was protected from having to testify for the worst moments of her life in front of the entire world.
In November, Amber Heard filed an appeal against the defamation verdict, requesting a withdrawal or retrial and claiming that the result has a "chilling effect" on women who speak out against powerful men. Amber stated that it is critical for her to state that she did not choose this and that she defended her truth, destroying her life as she knew it. The actress went on to say that the shaming she obtained on social media was an inaccurate portrayal of how women are re-victimized when they speak out. Now she has an opportunity to break free from something she tried to flee over six years ago, and on terms, she can live with.She goes on to say that she's made no acceptance and that this is not an act of agreement. Moving forward, Amber says that there are no limitations or gags on her voice.
The actress and her new lawyers called into question the June 1 verdict, as well as the reasons the trial was permitted to take place in Virginia rather than California, in a Nov. 23 Virginia Court of Appeals statement obtained by PEOPLE. The appeal also asserted that the trial shouldn't have continued because Johnny Depp lost his U.K. defamation lawsuit against The Sun for calling him a "wife-beater"—a claim that a London court upheld as "significantly true" after Amber Heard gave testimony to back up the news outlet words.
It also makes it appear that the actress's June 1 verdict by a Virginia jury remains in effect and could be imposed if she clearly and openly repeats the same accusation offensive remarks about Johnny Depp that her ex-husband originally sued over in March 2019.
Johnny Depp decided to file a $50 million defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard in March 2019 after she published an article for The Washington Post in which she described herself as a victim of domestic violence. Even though Johnny Depp's name wasn't noted in the essay, she decided to publish the op-ed during the time that their divorce was making headlines. Johnny Depp claimed that after the op-ed was published, it went ahead to tarnish his image in the eyes of the public and his family.
The six-week-long defamation lawsuit was held in Virginia's Fairfax County Courthouse, in which an anonymous judge found to award Johnny Depp $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, which were later reduced to $350,000 due to the state's statutory cap. The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory star won the defamation lawsuit on all three counts noting that Amber Heard did try to defame him with her op-ed.
The same jury, however, found Johnny Depp responsible for the remarks made against Amber Heard by his lawyer Adam Waldman, in which he referred to Amber Heard's allegations and claims against Johnny Depp as "a hoax." Amber Heard was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages by the jury.
