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Topics: Celebrity, Amber Heard, Johnny Depp, US News
Claire Reid
Amber Heard’s sister has shared a message of support for the actor following the loss of the high-profile defamation case brought by Johnny Depp.
Whitney Henriquez, who testified on behalf of her sister during the trial, has vowed to ‘stand with’ Heard.
In a post on Instagram, Henriquez wrote: “I still stand with you, sissy.
“Yesterday, today and tomorrow I will always be proud of you for standing up for yourself, for testifying both here in Virginia and in the UK, and for being the voice of so many who can’t speak to the things that happen behind closed doors.
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“We knew that this was going to be an uphill battle and that the cards were stacked against us. But you stood up and spoke out regardless.
“I am so honoured to testify for you, and I would do it a million times over because I know what I saw and because the truth is forever on your side.
“I’m so sorry that it wasn’t reflected in the decision made by this jury, but I will never give up on you, and neither will anyone who stands with you. Forever by your side… #istandwithamberheard.”
The six-week trial, which centred on a 2018 article Heard wrote The Washington Post, concluded last Wednesday (1 June), with the jury ruling in favour of Depp and ordering Heard to pay $15 million in damages to her ex-husband - but will only have to pay $10.35 million due to a Virginia law capping punitive damages.
However, following the ruling, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft claimed Heard could ‘absolutely not’ afford to pay the damages.
In a statement just after the verdict was announced Heard said she was ‘heartbroken’.
She said: "The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. 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. 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.
"I believe Johnny's attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK.
"I'm sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly."
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