Johnny Depp, the American actor, has won his defamation case against Amber Heard, with a jury awarding him $15 million. $5 million in punitive fines and $10 million in compensatory damages.
After deliberating for almost 13 hours, a panel of seven in Fairfax agreed to give Depp a total of $15 million in damages. However, because Virginia law caps punitive damages in these situations at $350,000, the judge decreased the $5 million punitive damages he could receive to $350,000.
Amber rushed to social media shortly after the verdict was announced to express her dismay and heartbreak at losing the lawsuit.
"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," she stated.
Amber further said she's even sadder despite coming out to speak freely.
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.
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