Johnny Depp Wins Defamation Trial Against Amber Heard... "Getting My Life Back"

Johnny Depp (left) and Amber Heard. Photo by AP

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] "I got my life back"

Hollywood actor Johnny Depp (59) won a defamation trial concerning domestic violence issues with his ex-wife Amber Heard (36).

On the 1st (local time), AFP reported that after Depp received a favorable verdict from the jury in a civil trial held at the Fairfax Court in Virginia, USA, Depp stated, "The jury gave me my life back," and added, "It was a miserable feeling. From the very beginning, my goal in bringing this case to court was to reveal the truth regardless of the outcome."

On that day, the jury ruled that Heard defamed Depp in three parts of her 2018 media op-ed and ordered her to pay $15 million (approximately 18.7 billion KRW) in damages. The compensation includes $10 million in damages and $5 million in punitive damages.

On the other hand, in Heard's countersuit, a $2 million (approximately 2.5 billion KRW) compensation verdict was made, which is regarded as a de facto victory for Depp.

Depp and Heard, a representative Hollywood star couple, divorced in May 2016 after 15 months of marriage. Later, in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed, Heard described herself as a "public figure representing domestic violence." Although Depp did not specify the perpetrator, he claimed it was clearly referring to him and filed a $50 million (approximately 62.4 billion KRW) defamation lawsuit against Heard.

Heard also filed a countersuit against Depp, claiming $100 million (approximately 124.8 billion KRW), alleging defamation after Depp's lawyers called her a liar.

Although the trial was filed as a defamation case, most testimonies focused on proving claims of physical, sexual violence, and abuse by each other, attracting public attention. Heard testified during the trial that she was assaulted about ten times during their marriage, and Depp claimed that his fingertip was cut off by a liquor bottle thrown by Heard.

Regarding the trial result, Heard stated on her social media (SNS), "It is heartbreaking that even the mountain of evidence was not enough to stand against my ex-husband's disproportionate power, influence, and control," and added, "This verdict turns back the clock to a time when women who disclose their victimization are publicly shamed and humiliated."