Johnny Depp-Amber Heard verdict highlights: Johnny Depp wins defamation case, Amber Heard ordered to pay $15 million
Jurors have reached a verdict in trial between Hollywood stars Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. The ex couple accused each other of abuse in the defamation trial. The verdict will be read in Fairfax County Circuit Court in Virginia at 3 p.m. ET (12.30 am IST on Thursday). Johnny had sued his ex-wife Amber for $50 million and argued that she defamed him when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" in a newspaper opinion piece. Amber filed a countersuit for $100 million, saying he smeared her by calling her a liar....Read More
Amber Heard says she is ‘heartbroken’
In response to the verdict, Amber Heard released a statement and said she was ‘disappointed’ and ‘heartbroken’ at the decision. “I am sad I lost this case,” she said.
Johnny Depp says the ‘jury gave me my life back’
In a statement in reaction to the judgement, Johnny Depp said he was humbled and that the “jury gave me my life back”. He added that he was now at peace.
Crowds cheering for Johnny Depp outside the courtroom
Law and Crime Channel reports that the crowd gathered outside the courthouse cheered every time a decision went in Johnny's favour and was streamed on the screen outside.
Johnny Depp ordered to pay $2 million in countersuit
The jury also found Johnny Depp guilty on some counts of defamation in Amber's countersuit against him. The actor was asked to pay $2 million in compensation.
Amber Heard ordered to pay damages worth $15 million
The jury has ordered Amber Heard to pay compensatory damages of $10 million and punitive damages of $5 million
Johnny Depp wins defamation case
The jury has found Amber Heard guilty of defamation and ruled that Johnny Depp has been able to prove he was defamed.
Johnny Depp fans absent from outside courthouse
With Johnny Depp in UK and not present in the court, his fans, who have thronged outside the court for weeks, are also absent. As soon as word spread over the weekend that the actor wasn't in town, fans appeared to have stayed home.
Jurors sent back after they forgot to fill form completely
The judge as sent the jury back as they forgot to fill the compensatory damages section of the verdict. The court is in recess briefly. Verdict to be read after the recess.
Amber Heard arrives at the courthouse
AS reported that Amber Heard arrived at the courthouse roughly at 2.45pm ET (12.15am IST) in a crew cab truck. She was accompanied by her sister Whitney.
Jury deliberated for 13 hours
According to reports from NBC and AS, the seven-member jury deliberated for almost 13 hours. The deliberations began on Friday afternoon. After a break for the weekend, the jury deliberated all day on Tuesday and it was announced on Wednesday afternoon that they had reached a verdict.
Johnny Depp performed at a concert in UK on Monday
On Monday, Johnny Depp performed at a concert in Sheffield, UK, days after the end of the trial. The actor surprised fans by appearing alongside English guitarist Jeff Beck on the stage and performed a number of tracks. Read more here
Amber Heard's legal team attacks Johnny Depp for not being in court
Amber Heard's legal team has said Johnny Depp not being present in the court shows his ‘lack of seriousness’. According to a statement from Amber's camp, “Your presence shows where your priorities are. Johnny Depp plays guitar in the UK while Amber Heard waits for a verdict in Virginia. Depp is taking his snickering and lack of seriousness on tour.”
Johnny Depp will not be in the court for the verdict
The Law and Crime Network has reported that while Amber Heard will be present in the court for the judgement, Johnny Depp won't be. The actor is currently in the UK for work commitments and is expected to attend the proceedings via video.
Jury has reached the verdict
A seven-member jury has reached the verdict in the case, which is expected to be read at 3pm ET on Wednesday (12.30am IST on Thursday).
