Audio By Carbonatix
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
-
Luv FM High School Debate: T.I AMASS advances as IBASS makes impressive debut
8 seconds -
Greater Accra Business Merit Awards honours SIM Group of Companies
3 minutes -
Cyberbullying : When social media becomes a tool for public humiliation
12 minutes -
Awerco Construction hands over 130-bed Weija Paediatric Hospital to Health Ministry
18 minutes -
YEA to migrate personnel on public sector salary structure – CEO
19 minutes -
I won’t be part of this selective justice – Atta Akyea rejects Adu-Boahene trial during legal vacation
20 minutes -
GBA has no business responding to law firms’ petitions – Dafeamekpor
28 minutes -
NPP accuses Chief Justice of partisan bias over vacation trial warrants
43 minutes -
Political parties must stop being ‘seasonal electoral machines’ – Asiedu Nketia
43 minutes -
Jatikay Centre backs National Security reorganisation, urges focus on emerging threats
43 minutes -
‘Case may not continue without counsel’ – Samson Lardy Anyenini on Adu-Boahene trial
1 hour -
Ghana’s democratic progress is not irreversible – Asiedu Nketia
1 hour -
Traditional faith practitioners appeal for inclusion in national activities
1 hour -
Major General Ayamdo named Deputy National Security Coordinator for Operations
1 hour -
Judiciary must win public confidence to protect democracy – Asiedu Nketia
1 hour