SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Good news Johnny Depp fans! A jury in the United States found Amber Heard guilty of defaming the Pirates Of The Caribbean star on Wednesday, June 1. 

Heard was ordered to pay her ex-husband $10.35 million in damages, however, the  jury also found in favor of Heard in some areas of her counter-suit against Depp. Johnny was found guilty of one count of defamation against the Aquaman star, and was ordered to pay $2 million.

Heard, who was clearly distraught afterwards, took to social media to air her thoughts surrounding the issue.

“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 continued on and said, “I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock at 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 in the UK. I’m sad I lost this case. But I am sadder still that I have lost a right I thought I had as an American – to speak freely and openly,” she added.

Meanwhile, Johnny released a statement after the verdict was announced.

“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.”

“I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up,” the statement said. “I also hope that the position will now return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media,” Johnny stressed.

It can be recalled that Johnny sued Amber over an op-ed she wrote for the Washington Post back in 2018. The actor underscored that Amber’s false  accusations have tarnished his career.

One may note that Johnny originally filed a $50 million lawsuit in March 2019, while Amber counter sued the actor with $100 million.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail photos from Reuters taken by Evelyn Hockstein/Pool