Amber Heard’s attorney stated on Thursday that she cannot pay Johnny Depp more than $10 million in damages after a US jury sided with the “Pirates of the Caribbean” actor in an acrimonious defamation trial.
Wednesday, a seven-member jury determined that Depp and Heard had defamed each other, but sided overwhelmingly with Depp.
After a six-week trial that included allegations and counter-allegations of domestic violence, the jury awarded him $10.35 million in damages, while Heard received only $2 million.
Elaine Bredehoft, Heard’s attorney, responded “Oh no, absolutely not” when asked on NBC’s TODAY whether Heard would be able to pay.
She added that the “Aquaman” actor intends to file an appeal and has “excellent grounds” for doing so.
Depp, 58, viewed the split verdict as a victory after losing a libel case against the British tabloid The Sun in London in 2020 for calling him a “wife-beater,” whereas Heard described herself as “heartbroken.”
In December 2018, Depp filed a lawsuit against Heard for a Washington Post op-ed in which she described herself.
Depp sued Heard for implying he was a domestic abuser and sought $50 million in damages, despite the fact that he was not named in the article.
Heard, 36, countersued for $100 million, claiming she was defamed by Adam Waldman, Depp’s attorney, who told the Daily Mail that Heard’s allegations of abuse were “a hoax.”
‘Horrible message,’ says one.
Bredehoft claims that Depp’s legal team worked to “demonize” Heard and suppressed crucial evidence in the trial, preventing jurors from investigating evidence of Depp’s alleged abuse.
“A number of improperly permitted items were allowed in this court, causing confusion among the jury,” she explained.
“In this case involving the United Kingdom, an enormous amount of evidence was suppressed,” she explained. Amber won the case in the United Kingdom, while Johnny Depp lost.
According to the attorney, the ruling is detrimental to the MeToo movement and will deter women from reporting sexual harassment and abuse.
‘Zoo’
Heard stated in a statement, “I am beyond words with disappointment today.”
She said, “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence was insufficient to combat my ex-power, husband’s influence, and sway.”
Depp praised the verdict, stating, “The jury gave me back my life.”
In a statement, Depp stated, “The best is yet to come.” Finally, a new chapter has begun.
Bredehoft stated that social media could have had an effect on the case, despite jurors being instructed not to view it.
She stated, “There is no way they were not influenced by it, and it was horrible.” It was extremely, extremely lopsided.
Heard’s attorney also expressed opposition to televising the trial.
She stated, “I was against cameras in the courtroom, and I went on record as saying so, and I argued against it due to the sensitivity of the situation.”
