The controversial trial that was the most publicized since the murder trial of OJ Simpson.
The Allegations
In February 2015, actors Amber Heard and Johnny Depp got married. By the end of May 2016, Amber Heard filed for divorce from Johnny Depp. Heard claims in a recorded declaration that during an argument, Depp hurled a smartphone at her and physically attacked her. Depp has refuted claims that he abused his wife. In a suit filed from 2016, his attorneys claimed that Heard was "attempting to gain a premature financial settlement by claiming abuse." Depp and Heard's divorce was settled in August 2016 after months of heated litigation. When Heard and Depp finally split up in January 2017, she vowed to give $7 million from the divorce settlement to the American Civil Liberties Union and Children's Hospital in Los Angeles which was not fulfilled by Heard.
On June 1st, 2018, Johnny Depp filed a lawsuit against News Group Newspapers, the parent company of The Sun, for printing a story with a headline suggesting that alleged Depp a wife beater. In November 2020, Johnny Depp's libel case against The Sun goes to trial, but he lost this case.
Amber Heard wrote another op-ed for The Washington Post on December 18 in which she was labeled as a "public figure representing domestic violence." Depp filed $50 million lawsuit against Heard, claiming she defamed him in her Washington Post op-ed, in March 2019. Heard counter-sued Depp for $100 million, claiming that Depp orchestrated a "smear campaign" to malign her. On April 11th, 2022, the trial went to Fairfax, Virginia.
The Trial
Heard claimed in court that Depp has been verbally and physically violent throughout the relationship. Additionally, Heard claimed that Depp had sexually assaulted her. Depp disputed Heard's claims of sexual violence and repeatedly said that he has never physically assaulted a woman. During the trial, both Heard's and Depp's attorneys used visual and audio evidence to support their clients' positions. A model, Kate Moss who has allegedly been in relationship with Depp in the past, and DC Films CEO Walter Hamada were both called as witnesses by Depp's side during the trial. Heard's witnesses included actress Ellen Barkin and many people who had previously worked with Depp. Heard's supporters in the entertainment industry and outside the courtroom were noticeably quieter than Depp’s.
The standout part of the trial was Johnny Depp's attorneys. They presented evidence in a very convincing way and neutralized Heard's arguments by displaying conflicting evidence and testimonies. Furthermore, their questioning and conduct during the trial made Heard's attorneys seem inexperienced compared to them.
The jury found that Amber Heard's op-ed in the Washington Post had defamed Depp three times, and awarded him over $10 million in damages. Heard's counterclaim included the finding that Depp's attorney made one of three defamatory remarks against Heard. She was awarded $2 million in damages by the jury. As for compensation, Johnny Depp claimed $50 million while Heard claimed $100 million. Depp won a far larger amount of money in damages from the jury.
Depp released a statement about the verdict: "the jury gave me my life back and I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.” While Heard in her statement said that she is “heartbroken” over the verdict. “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,”.