Johnny Depp and Amber Heard “slandered each other” after sentencing

DepThe 58-year-old, who was not on trial for the decision, sued the Aquaman star for $ 50 million for an article in the Washington Post entitled: “I spoke out against sexual violence – and faced the wrath of our culture. That must change. ”

Although the article did not mention Mr Depp’s name, his lawyers said he falsely hinted that he had physically and sexually abused Ms. Hurd when they were together.

Amber Heard. Credit: PA

After six weeks of evidence and about 13 hours of deliberation, the jury handed down a verdict in favor of Mr Depp on Wednesday, around 8pm British time.

Amber Heard awarded $ 2 million in damages

The jury ruled that Hurd’s defamation claim against her ex-husband was not fully substantiated, but was awarded $ 2 million in damages.

Nothing Hurd was given as punishment

Following the verdict, Ms. Hurd said she felt “heartbroken” by the ruling, adding that it was “even sadder” that she had “lost the right” to “speak freely and openly.”

“The disappointment I feel today is impossible to convey. I am heartbroken that the mountains of evidence are still not enough to withstand the disproportionate power, influence and influence of my ex-husband, ”she said in a statement.

“I am even more disappointed with what this sentence means to other women.

“It’s a failure. This goes back in time to the time when a woman who spoke and spoke could be publicly humiliated and humiliated.

“This rejects the idea that violence against women should be taken seriously.

“I believe Johnny’s lawyers have managed to force the jury to ignore the key issue of freedom of speech and ignore the evidence that was so convincing that we won in the UK.

“I am sorry that I lost this case. But I’m even sadder that I seem to have lost the right I thought I had as an American to speak freely and openly. ”

Ms. Hurd was present at the sentencing, but Mr Depp was not present as a source confirmed to the PA news agency that he was still in the UK.

In a statement to his spokesman, Mr Depp said: “Six years ago my life, the lives of my children, the lives of the people closest to me, and the lives of people who for many, many years supported and believed in me have changed forever.

“Everything in the blink of an eye.

“I was accused of false, very serious and criminal accusations through the media, which caused an endless barrage of hateful content, although there were never any accusations against me. He has already traveled around the world twice in a nanosecond, and it has had a seismic impact on my life and career.

“And six years later the jury brought me back to life. I’m really humiliated. ”

Mr Depp went on to say that his decision to continue the case “was made only after considerable deliberation” and his aim was “to reveal the truth, whatever the outcome”.

“I was obliged to tell the truth to my children and all those who remained steadfast in their support. I feel calm knowing that I have finally achieved this, ”the actor said.

He said he was “overwhelmed by the outpouring of love, tremendous support and kindness from around the world”, adding: “I hope that my desire to tell the truth has helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and so that those who support them never give up. ”

Mr Depp said: “The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun” before concluding: “Veritas numquam perit. The truth never dies. ”

Johnny Depp. Credit: PA

In the last few days, the actor has appeared on stage with musician Jeff Beck in Sheffield and London’s Albert Hall.

When the verdict was reinstated, it was reported to be in the north-east of England.

The actor has consistently denied “outrageous, bizarre” allegations of abuse and stated that he “spoke out for what I reluctantly carried on my back for six years” during his own testimony.

Although the actors live in California, the case was filed in Virginia, where it is here that the online publications of the Washington Post are published through servers located in Fairfax County.

In the process were witnesses, including family members, friends, colleagues, co-workers and others, including British supermodel Kate Moss, as well as Mr Depp and Ms Hurd.

Legions of fans gathered on the street during the trial in Fairfax County Court, trying to enter the courtroom and watch the trial.