Amber Heard Issues Statement After Johnny Depp Wins Case

Amber Heard has issued a statement after a jury ruled she did defame Johnny Depp.

On Wednesday, 1 June, Depp won the defamation case against Heard after a jury found what Heard wrote in her op-ed piece for The Washington Post in 2018 was defamatory.

Following the verdict, Heard released a statement on social media.

It read: "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.

"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.

"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 was awarded him $15 million in damages. Meanwhile the jury awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages, finding that in her countersuit, Heard did not prove all elements of defamation.

Heard was in attendance at the court in Virginia as the verdict was read out, while Depp was said to be watching from the UK, having flown over to perform at concerts with Jeff Beck in Sheffield and London.

Depp also released a statement following the verdict. It read: "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 continued: "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."

Depp launched his $50 million defamation case against Heard in the state of Virginia, following abuse claims she made in an op-ed for the Washington Post back in 2018.

Depp’s legal team argued that the article implied Heard was physically and sexually abused by Depp when they were married, although the article does not refer to him by name. 

Heard then pursued a defamation countersuit for $100 million following statements Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman made to the press following her op-ed article.