Johnny Depp, an American actor, is $15 million richer as a result of his ex-decision wife’s to defame him with allegations of abuse.
In his defamation suit, Mr. Depp was awarded $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
The actor sued Heard for $50 million after the feminist claimed domestic abuse in a 2018 article for The Washington Post.
Heard, who played Queen Mera in “Aquaman,” did not name the 58-year-old in the piece but had previously accused Johnny Depp of abuse and described herself as a “public figure representing domestic abuse” in the article.
Though Depp was not named in the article, he claims it cost him lucrative acting roles and has filed a $50 million lawsuit against his ex-wife.
His ex-wife countersued him for defamation after Depp’s attorney made statements about her abuse allegations.
She demanded a $100 million settlement for defamation, adding to the drama surrounding their feud.
After six weeks of deliberation, the jury determined that Heard defamed Depp in three separate statements in The Washington Post article, and thus awarded him the $15 million judgement.
The court also stated that Depp defamed Heard with one statement through his lawyer’s comment.
As a result, the jury awarded Heard $2 million in compensatory damages but no punitive damages.
According to CNN, the actress closed her eyes as the verdict was read.
Meanwhile, Depp, who was not in court, issued a statement in which he stated, in part, that “the jury gave me my life back.”
“The goal of bringing this case from the start was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome.
Speaking the truth was something I owed to my children and to everyone who has continued to support me “He stated.
“I’m relieved that I’ve finally completed that.”
“We are grateful, so grateful, to the jury for their careful deliberation, to the judge and the court staff who have devoted an enormous amount of time and resources to this case,” said attorney Camille Vasquez outside court.
In a statement, Heard expressed her “heartbreak” over the verdict.
