On Wednesday, a verdict was rendered in the defamation case against Johnny Depp and Amber Heard. Depp was unable to attend the announcement. InsiderIt was reported that Depp’s absence at court is due to a work commitment.
Sources said that Depp was visiting the UK for a previously planned work commitment. According to them, “Due to previously scheduled work commitments made before the trial, Mr. Depp will not be physically present for today’s 3 p.m. verdict and will be watching from the United Kingdom.”Depp has been appearing across the pond during several Jeff Beck concerts over the past few days.
Depp was not present in court Wednesday due to Heard’s rep (the proceedings took places in Virginia). According to her spokesperson, “Your presence shows where your priorities are. Johnny Depp plays guitar in the UK while Amber Heard waits for a verdict in Virginia.”They also accused them of the Pirates of the CaribbeanStar of “taking his snickering and lack of seriousness on tour.”
Depp was not present to hear Wednesday’s verdict, as stated previously. After she had written a piece about Depp, the jury decided that Heard was guilty of defaming her. Washington PostOp-ed in the which she accused him being abusive throughout their relationship. He was later awarded $10M in compensatory damages and $5M in punitive damages. But, this figure was increased to $350,000 according to Virginia’s cap.
“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,”Depp’s statement is read after the verdict. “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.”He wrote that he was still writing. “truly humbled”That he was awarded his reward by the jury “life back.”Heard made a statement about her verdict, just like her ex-husband.
“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,”Her statement began. “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.” Heard continued, “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.”The AquamanStar ended her message with the following: “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.”
