The verdict in the defamation case of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is in. The jury found Depp and Heard responsible. However, they favored the former who received $15 million in damages while Amber Heard received $2 million. While the Virginia court jury found Amber Heard’s article defamatory of Johnny Depp, it also determined that Heard had been defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, who allegedly admitted that she had created a prank detailed which included manhandling the couple’s apartment to look worse in the eyes of the police. Consequently, Amber Heard also received $2 million.
During the six-week trial, memes and reels about Amber Heard’s testimony about the alleged physical and sexual abuse she suffered in the relationship went viral, fans rallied to support Depp and Heard a been ruthlessly trolled. Public sentiment towards the trial has also raised concerns among victims of domestic violence, as there are fears that the women’s testimonies will be mocked and not believed by a jury now. Reactions to the trial verdict are mixed, to say the least.
Today, #TruthWins is trending on Twitter after Johnny Depp released a statement in which he said, “Truth never fails”. Meanwhile, netizens are criticizing the outpouring of support for Depp amid a backlash for Heard. The lawsuit has far-reaching implications.
A Twitter user wrote: “So the jury found Heard was telling the truth when she directly said Depp abused her but defamed him by implying he abused her , am I right ?”
Here’s what people are saying:
So the jury found Heard was telling the truth when she directly said Depp abused her but defamed him by implying he abused her, am I right? https://t.co/m21kq44x7j
— Jonathan M. Katz (@KatzOnEarth) June 1, 2022
this verdict is going to set women, the me too movement and all victims of abuse back so far that it’s actually unbelievable
— bethany (@fiImgal) June 1, 2022
A precedent has now been set in the United States: even if you do not name your abuser in writing and you have evidence of abuse, you can be sued for defamation and lose
— Alicia (@nerdjpg) June 1, 2022
Amber Heard had photos of the abuse, audio tapes where Johnny Depp admits to abusing her, medical records, text messages from him apologizing to her for his ugly behavior, but that wasn’t enough. I am completely disgusted by this world. People never learn. #IStandWithAmberHeard
— the best of amber heard (@artsaheard) June 1, 2022
Meanwhile, Johnny Depp fans rejoice. One fan wrote: “He won in the court of public opinion. He won in court. Justice has been served and now he can finally regain his name and reputation.
He won in the court of public opinion. He won in court. Justice has been served and now he can finally regain his name and reputation. #JusticeForJohhnyDepp #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeard #IStandWithJohnnyDepp #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeardTrial #TruthWins pic.twitter.com/KxD48IKPag
— Sophie L (@SophieLents) June 1, 2022
June 1, 2022, after 6 years of winning, johnny did it. he told the world his story and the world believed him. we are all so proud of you johnny <3 a="" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForJohnnyDepp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noreferrer noopener" data -mce-href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/JusticeForJohnnyDepp?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#JusticeForJohnnyDepp #TruthWins pic.twitter.com/7hwuumxPhz
— eva ðŸÂ ´â˜ ï¸Â (@stoneyeilish) June 1, 2022
Johnny Depp had sued Amber Heard for $50 million after alleging she was the victim of domestic violence in his 2018 editorial in The Washington Post, although Depp was not named in the article. The actor claimed he lost roles including an upcoming Pirates movie and the Fantastic Beasts franchise due to Heard’s allegations. Amber Heard counter-sued him for $100 million.
