A jury on Wednesday unanimously ruled in Johnny Depp's favour in his multimillion-dollar defamation lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard.
Moments after the verdict was announced, Depp, who was not present in the court at the time, released a statement on Instagram, saying that the jury "gave me my life back."
"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," he wrote, in what appears to be a statement written on a typewriter.
Depp continued that the media threw "false, very serious and criminal allegations" at him, triggering an "endless barrage of hateful content."
"It had already travelled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career," he said. "And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled."
Depp sued Heard for $50 million for a Washington Post op-ed she wrote in December 2018 in which she described herself as "a public figure representing domestic abuse." Heard never mentioned Depp by name in the article, but Depp's lawyers argued throughout the trial that he was defamed by its contents.
Heard countersued for twice that amount, saying that Depp's team had defamed her by saying her abuse claims were a hoax.
On Wednesday, after hearing six weeks of hearing from both parties, as well as a number of witnesses, about numerous claims of violent abuse, the jury agreed on a mixed verdict: Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, while Heard received $2 million. The judge said state law caps punitive damages at $350,000, meaning Depp's award would total $10.35 million.
"From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome," Depp continued in his statement. "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."
He went on to say that he hopes his "quest to have truth" has helped others who have found themselves in his "situation" to never give up.
"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun," he said. "Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."
Latest Stories
-
You have a special role in shaping our elections – Akufo-Addo to Ghanaian workers
3 mins -
ECG staff walkout during Ashanti Regional Minister’s speech at May Day event
21 mins -
Seventy percent of SMEs productivity lost to power crises in Central Region
30 mins -
We commend Bawumia for waking others up to come home and develop – Savannah NPP chair
34 mins -
SML-GRA contract – Legal Practitioner counters KPMG findings on parliamentary ratification
39 mins -
Do something about dumsor now – TUC tells Akufo-Addo at May Day event
42 mins -
Viewing Economics from a female lens: Legacy of Ghana’s first female Professor of Econs
45 mins -
Vaccines are safe, get your children immunized against killer diseases – Ghana Health Service
48 mins -
Glovo, five other multinational brands, and why they left Ghana
55 mins -
Narcotics Control Commission seizes 20.5kg of cannabis
1 hour -
One suspect arrested over killing of military officer at Kasoa
1 hour -
Maritime Security Threats: Global collaboration, commitment needed to overcome risks – Akufo-Addo
2 hours -
AWUSCO develops 6-year Scientific Strategic Plan towards digital transformation
2 hours -
May Day: I’m prepared to work with you again to meet Ghana’s needs – Mahama assures workers
2 hours -
Build digital skills to enhance employability – KNUST Vice-Chancellor urges students
2 hours