Amber Heard Plans To Appeal Verdict After Johnny Depp Wins Defamation Trial

Amber Heard plans to appeal the trial verdict after Johnny Depp successfully sued his ex-wife for defamation.

Just yesterday, in what's been the most high profile case of recent times, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor was awarded $15 million by the jury.

Depp was awarded compensatory damages of 10 million dollars (£8 million) and a further five million dollars (£4 million) in punitive damages.

In a separate verdict, Heard was awarded two million dollars (£1.6 million) in damages after her counterclaim against Depp over comments made by his lawyer Adam Waldman, who allegedly referred to her abuse claims as a 'hoax', was found to be defamatory.

It all began back in 2018 when Heard wrote an online article for the Washington Post, titled: “I spoke up against sexual violence – and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change.”

Although the article didn't mention Depp by name, his lawyers claimed that it falsely implied he physically and sexually abused the Aquaman actress while they were together.

Heard then counter-sued Depp over comments previously made by his lawyer Adam Waldman, who allegedly referred to her abuse claims as a 'hoax'.

However, after losing the case, Heard's spokesperson Alafair Hall told The New York Times she now plans to appeal. 

Despite it not being clear on what grounds Heard will base her appeal on, the actor would likely need to demonstrate that there were errors in the trial or that there were issues with the presiding judge's reading of the law.

An appeal may also be based on new evidence or testimony which emerges following the conclusion of the initial trial.

Heard has since released a statement following 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," she wrote.

"I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. 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 also issued a statement following the news.

He wrote: "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. All in the blink of an eye.

"False, very serious and criminal allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever brought against me. It had already travelled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career.

"And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled."

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