Amber Heard ‘heartbroken’ after losing $15,000,000 Johnny Depp libel case: ‘It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously’-Alicia Adejobi-Entertainment – Metro

Heard has to pay Depp $15million in damages (Picture: AP)

Amber Heard has expressed her ‘disappointment’ after losing her libel case against ex-husband Johnny Depp.

The Aquaman actress counter-sued the Pirates of the Caribbean actor for $100million after he claimed she had defamed him in a 2018 op-ed she wrote for The Washington Post.

In the article, Heard, 36, opened up about her experience of domestic abuse, which Depp’s lawyers argued was clearly about him and suggested he was physically and sexually abusive towards her.

On Wednesday, a seven-person jury returned a verdict in favour of Depp, 58, following an explosive six-week trial that laid bare the shocking details of their marriage.

They rewarded Depp compensatory damages of $10m (£8m) and a further $5m (£4m) in punitive damages, after he originally filed the lawsuit seeking $50m.

Reacting to the verdict moment after leaving court, Heard said in a statement: ‘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.

Depp has been awarded damages of $15million (Picture: AP)

‘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.’

She continued: ‘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.’

Depp has in turn released a statement reacting to his victory, saying: ‘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 traveled 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.’

He went on: ‘My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.

Depp and Heard’s tumultuous marriage played out in court over a six-week trial (Picture: Getty Images)

‘From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.

‘I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up. I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.

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‘I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.

‘The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun. Veritas numquam perit.

‘Truth never perishes.’

This is a breaking news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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MORE : Johnny Depp wins defamation case against Amber Heard, awarded $15,000,000 after lengthy court battle

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