Entertainment
Amber Heard files new appeal after losing Johnny Depp defamation trial in hopes jury verdict will be reversed-Rachael O'Connor-Entertainment – Metro
Her lawyers reportedly filed a 68-page appeal.
Amber Heard is reportedly attempting to overturn the verdict tin the defamation trial against Johnny Depp which took place this summer (Picture: Getty Images)
Amber Heard has reportedly filed a new appeal against the result of her explosive defamation trial with ex-husband Johnny Depp.
This summer saw a bitter trial between the former couple which eventually ended with the jury finding that Heard, 36, defamed the actor, 59, in a 2018 op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post.
In the article, Heard wrote about her experience as a survivor of domestic abuse – and while the Pirates of the Caribbean star was not named in it, his lawyers argued it had falsely accused him of being an abuser.
Following the trial and unanimous jury verdict, Depp was awarded $15m (£13m) in total, broken down as $10m (£8.3m) in compensatory damages and $5m (£4m) in punitive damages.
Heard, meanwhile, was also awarded $2m (£1.7m) in compensatory damages, which Depp recently filed an appeal against, describing it as ‘erroneous.’
Now Heard’s lawyers have seemingly filed a new appeal hoping to reverse the decision of the jury by either dismissing Depp’s claim or launching an entirely new trial.
The former husband and wife were locked in a legal battle after an op-ed Heard wrote in 2018 detailing alleged domestic abuse (Picture: AFP/AP)
As reported by the New York Times, lawyers lodged a 68-page appeal arguing the trial was held in the wrong state and objecting to the judge’s decision not to allow certain pieces of evidence.
This evidence includes notes from therapists attended by Heard, which her lawyers say include documents of her alleging domestic abuse.
Heard’s lawyers reportedly wrote in their submission: ‘The trial court improperly prevented the jury from considering several separate instances in which Heard reported Depp’s abuse to a medical professional.’
The public trial ended with the jury unanimously finding Heard defamed Depp in the article, though he was not named (Picture: AFP)
The actor had sued Heard for libel following the publication of the article (Picture: AP)
Heard had also filed to appeal the jury’s initial verdict in July of this year, with a spokesperson telling Metro.co.uk at the time: ‘We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment.
‘We are therefore appealing the verdict. While we realise today’s filing will ignite the Twitter bonfires, there are steps we need to take to ensure both fairness and justice.’
Depp’s spokesperson also said: ‘The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the six-week trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr Depp in multiple instances. We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand.’
Depp has also filed an appeal against Heard being awarded $2 million in compensation (Picture: Getty Images)
The new development comes after Depp’s lawyers filed an appeal brief against Heard being awarded a $2m in compensatory damages relating to a series of statements made about her by Depp’s lawyer, Adam Waldman.
Waldman had described Heard’s allegations about a 2016 incident as ‘an ambush, a hoax’. The jury found that Depp defamed Heard via Waldman.
However, in the appeal brief, his lawyers have argued that he should not be held liable for Waldman’s comments.
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Depp’s team also argued that Heard’s lawyers gave no evidence that he was involved in making the remarks, and Waldman didn’t witness any interactions between Depp and Heard before he was hired.
Metro.co.uk has reached out to reps for Depp and Heard for comment
Domestic abuse helpline
If you are in immediate danger call 999. If you cannot talk, dial 55 and the operator will respond.
For emotional support, you can contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. Alternatively, for practical and emotional support, please contact Women’s Aid Live Chat 10am – 6pm seven days a week.
You can also reach the National Centre for Domestic Violence on 0800 270 9070 or text NCDV to 60777.
For free and confidential advice and support for women in London affected by abuse, you can call Solace on 0808 802 5565 or email advice@solacewomensaid.org.
Male victims of domestic abuse can call 01823 334244 to speak to ManKind, an initiative available for male victims of domestic abuse and domestic violence across the UK as well as their friends, family, neighbours, work colleagues and employers.
Alternatively, the Men’s Advice Line can be reached at 0808 8010327, or emailed at info@mensadviceline.org.uk.
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