While the widely discussed and highly viewed Depp-Heard trial may have officially concluded, its lasting impact on pop culture continues. Amber Heard, 36, made her first official statement following the June 1st verdict. In an Instagram post for her 5 million followers, Heard wrote, “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.” She added, “I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women,” noting it was a “setback.”
The Aquaman star added, “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.” She went on, “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.”
View this post on Instagram
The 7-person jury deliberated for 13 hours, after the 6-week trial occurred in Fairfax, VA. The Pirates of The Caribbean alum, 58, was in England and not present for the verdict. “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,” a source said to The Post.
The Edward Scissorhands star sued his ex-wife 3 years ago for $50 million after she dubbed herself to be “a public figure representing domestic abuse” in her Washington Post op-ed that was published in 2018. Heard then retaliated with a $100 million countersuit in 2020, alleging that her reputation was damaged after Depp’s lawyer Adam Waldman publicly claimed that she lied about domestic abuse allegations, calling them a “hoax.”
View this post on Instagram
Jurors ultimately had to decide whether specific passages in her Washington Post article had indeed defamed Depp, and whether Heard had acted with “actual malice.” Heard’s lawyer, Elaine Charlson Bredehoft sat down for an interview this week in which she said she believes the jury in the defamation case was “confused” and that Heard is planning to appeal the verdict.
While both the Drive Angry actress and 21 Jump Street icon were found liable for defamation in the lawsuits against each other, the jury awarded much more damages to Depp. On a Today Show appearance soon after the verdict, Bredehoft said “an enormous amount of evidence” that could have helped the Never Back Down star’s case was suppressed during the trial. “That’s because she was demonized here,” Bredehoft said regarding the verdict. “A number of things were allowed in this court that should not have been allowed, and it caused the jury to be confused.”
View this post on Instagram
In another recent interview with CNN, Bredehoft said she thought the jury ruled in Depp’s favor on each of his claims, largely because he had 3 advantages of “wealth, power and fame.” “I think that made a huge difference in this case,” she said, “But it also said we’re not going to believe women even when they have photos.” She continued, “Basically, unless she had pulled out her phone, her iPhone and videotaped him as he was beating her, she’s not going to be believed, it didn’t happen.”
