Johnny Depp Releases Statement Following Trial Verdict

A verdict was released earlier today for the Johnny Depp v. Amber Heard dealing defamation lawsuits, with Depp’s legal team present in the courtroom for the proceedings, and Depp releasing a statement on the matter.

Following a victory in his defamation suit against ex-wife, actress Amber Heard, due to her 2018 OpEd in the Washington Post, the Pirates of the Caribbean actor took to Instagram to share the following statement:

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.

My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.

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. 

I am and have been overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. 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. I also hope that the position will not return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media.

I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the Judge, the jurors, the court staff, and the Sheriffs who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me to share the truth.

The best is yet to come, and a new chapter has finally begun.

Veritas numquam perit.

Truth never perishes.

 

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The actor was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages as part of the verdict (though the $5 million will be lowered to $350,000 per Virginia law) as the jury believed that he was able to prove through testimony and evidence that Heard enacted defamation with intent malicious intent on all counts.

Depp had expected to play the same role he had essentially created within the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, Captain Jack Sparrow, however, Disney pulled back from offering the actor the role once more when Heard alleged that he had physically abused her.

Disney has not commented on the matter since the verdict of the trial was issued, however, fans now continue to take to social media to push for #JusticeForJohnnyDepp in that he is offered back roles that he lost prior to the trial.

At this time, Disney continues to use Depp’s likeness in merchandise and the Pirates of the Caribbean theme park attractions at both Disneyland Park and the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World.