If you hadn’t been exploring the depths of the Mariana trench or jumping around the surface of the Moon, you most likely have heard of the now-infamous Johnny Depp vs Amber Heard trial. The six-week ordeal has finally concluded, as the jury ruled that Amber Heard did defame Depp in her 2018 Washington Post op-ed.
Whilst there was clear disappointment on one end of the courtroom, the other, which included Johnny’s legal team, was seen holding back tears and embracing in hugs once the proceedings were completed. Hugs are nice, hence why this article exists in the first place; to mayhaps send you, dear readers, a virtual hug in the form of nicely structured sentences as a means of congratulations that this media circus, making a spectacle of two people’s misery, is now done with.
The Johnny Depp - Amber Heard defamation trial has come to an end, with the jury ruling in Depp's favor, resulting in his legal team exchanging hugs
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Johnny Depp's legal team appeared to be emotional in court as the jury declared Depp the victor of his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard on Wednesday, 1 June, when the jury ruled that Heard defamed Depp on all three counts. Jurors reached their verdict after 12 hours of deliberations.
In one shot, Depp's team - including lawyer Camille Vasquez - could be seen hugging, in another - Ms Vasquez appeared to be wiping her eyes. Speaking outside the courthouse, she said: “Today’s verdict confirms what we have said from the beginning - that the claims against Johnny Depp are defamatory and unsupported by any evidence. We are grateful, so grateful to the jury for their careful deliberation.”
The verdict was reached in 12 hours of deliberation by 7 jurors. Depp will be awarded over $10M, whilst Heard, winning one charge, will be awarded $2M
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Depp will be awarded $15 million in damages, with $10 million in compensatory and $5 million in punitive damages. The latter was capped at $350,000, meaning the actor will get just over $10 million in total, as reported by Vulture.
The seven-member jury also awarded Heard $2 million in one of her competing defamation claims. An appeal is a possibility but it will remain to be seen.
Both sides awaited this moment with anticipation: the conclusion to an intense 6-week trial, which, in turn, became a media circus
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
One could argue that it’s a moment of relief and intense joy that their hard work had paid off. Whilst we saw 6 weeks of intense testimony and cross examination, we didn’t see the months of preparation and analysis that took place in building the case.
According to Stimmel Law, it takes an hour of preparation for each ten minutes of actual testimony, with a typical preparation requiring four or five hours of practicing direct examination and an equal amount of time play-acting cross examination.
Heard remained essentially emotionless during the reading of the verdict, whilst Depp is said to have watched it remotely as he had other work obligations
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Depp was not in court because of previously scheduled work commitments, yet he was watching the verdict from the UK. It seems Depp has flown in to perform at concerts with Jeff Beck in Sheffield and London. Heard was in attendance in the courtroom.
As the verdict was read, Heard looked down, her expression still, yet one could catch glimpses of sadness or devastation, anger or disappointment.
Whereas Depp's legal team exchanged smiles and little moments of encouragement as they learnt they had won the main charges
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Following the verdict, Heard released a statement on social media, reading: "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."
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Depp also released a statement. 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."
Lawyer Camille Vasquez, who garnered her own fanbase and following during the trial, seemed to be holding back tears
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Both parties, Depp and Heard, have released statements on social media since the verdict, displaying two very different accounts
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Two very different accounts, and the described ‘mountain of evidence’ is as debatable as the possibility of ever sustaining human life on Mars.
However, it does raise the issue of domestic abuse to the forefront. Under cross-examination, Depp’s attorneys played audio of Heard telling Depp: “Tell them, I, Johnny Depp, I’m a victim of domestic abuse... and see how many people believe or side with you.”
Whilst opinions rain down, one thing is for certain - the trial started a debate as to how we see and treat different domestic violence victims
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People have been trying to bring forth the notion that every victim is to be believed without question and what this trial succeeded in showing is that the ‘guilty until proven innocent’ can be detrimental to those who have been victims of abuse themselves.
There is no question that the Depp and Heard relationship was toxic for each of them, however, we cannot erase one’s wrongdoings just because they were a victim.
If you know of someone who's in a dire situation, or if you are someone experiencing domestic violence, there are always options out there for you
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
Abuse of men happens far more often than expected, yet societal norms and expectations for sexes seem to undermine the severity of it. The Office for National Statistics figures show every year that one in three victims of domestic abuse are male. Yet half of male victims (49%) fail to tell anyone they are a victim of domestic abuse and are 2.5 times less likely to tell anyone than female victims.
Although the trial soared in the media, going viral with memes and videos being created by spectators, it may start an important conversation as to the image we have when we think about an abuser. For those that might know of someone struggling or if you yourself are thinking you might be in a dangerous situation, here are some resources that may help.
It seems that this is an end to a chapter rather than to the whole story, but we'll see what's to come next
Image credits: Law&Crime Network
It is doubtful that this is the end of the story as a whole, but it is truly the end of a long chapter. We'll see what's to come for everyone involved.
Leave your thoughts below in the comments: what did you think of this trial? Did you follow it or did you try to ignore any mention of it? What do you think will happen next?
As always, bored pandas, I leave you with wishes of a pleasant day and I hope to see you soon!
People have congratulated Depp and his team, sending support their way and discussing the broader issues. Leave your thoughts in the comments!
