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Johnny Depp verdict: Actor’s popularity plummeted after Amber Heard trial, poll shows

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Johnny Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after defamation trial win

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Johnny Depp emerged victorious in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard following three days of deliberations by the jury, which also handed Heard a partial win in her countersuit.

Depp sued Heard for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018Washington Post op-ed. Although she didn’t name him, he claims her allegations impacted his ability to work. She pursued a $100m counterclaim.

The jury determined Heard defamed Depp on all three counts and awarded him $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2m compensatory damages.

When interviewed, Depp’s lawyers were asked about the possibility of dropping damages and said the case was never about money, but wouldn’t comment further.

The “humbled” actor thanked the jury for giving him his life back. He is currently playing gigs on a UK tour with Jeff Beck. Despite massive social media backing for Depp during the trial, a new poll suggests his popularity dropped after the verdict.

In a statement, Heard expressed “disappointment beyond words” and said she was heartbroken, claiming the verdict was a “setback” for women. She has decided to appeal the verdict and is “unable to pay” the damages.

Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after landmark win against Amber Heard

The legal team for Johnny Depp has denied the accusation from a spokesperson for Amber Heard who said the attorneys were taking a “victory lap” by making TV appearances following their client winning a blockbuster defamation case.

Attorneys Camile Vasquez and Ben Chew were grilled by Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday morning in one of their first televised interviews since their client emerged victorious in his defamation case against his ex-wife.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

Depp’s lawyers deny ‘victory lap’ after winning defamation case against Amber Heard

A spokesperson for Heard slammed Depp’s lawyers ahead of their appearances on Wednesday morning talk shows

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 12:00

Social media ‘played no role whatsoever’ in jury’s verdict in Amber Heard trial, says lawyer

Johnny Depp’s attorney has claimed that social media “played no role whatsoever” in the jury’s verdict in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Ben Chew, who represented the Pirates actor at the trial in Fairfax, Virginia, dismissed claims from Ms Heard’s legal team that the social media circus surrounding the case could have influenced the outcome.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Johnny Depp may let Amber Heard escape damages, lawyers suggest - follow latest

Johnny Depp -Amber Heard court trial today live updates

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 13:00

Depp may drop damages claim against Heard if she stops appeal, lawyers suggest

Johnny Depp’s lawyers appeared on Good Morning America after winning the defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Host George Stephanopoulos asked if Mr Depp would forego the $8.35m in damages if Ms Heard dropped her appeal. Attorney Ben Chew said the case was never about money for Mr Depp but that he couldn’t reveal much more because of attorney-client privilege.

Read more:

Johnny Depp may drop $8m damages claim against Amber Heard

‘This was never about money for Mr Depp,’ Ben Chew says

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 13:45

Camille Vasquez gushes about being an ‘inspiration’ to women going to law school

Johnny Depp’s attorney Camille Vasquez has gushed about being an “inspiration” to women thinking about going to law school after the jury sided with the actor in his defamation trial with Amber Heard.

Ms Vasquez spoke out on ABC’s Good Morning America on Wednesday morning where she told host George Stephanopoulos that it was “overwhelming” to have become an overnight social media star during the bombshell case.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Johnny Depp may let Amber Heard escape damages, lawyers suggest - follow latest

Johnny Depp -Amber Heard court trial today live updates

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 14:30

Camille Vasquez promoted to partner after trial success

Camille Vasquez has been elevated to partner at her firm Brown Rudnick following the key role she played as a member of Johnny Depp’s legal team during the defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Ms Vasquez became one of several unexpected celebrities at the trial through her tough cross-examination of witnesses and frequent objections to defence counsel questions.

Johnny Depp lawyer Camille Vasquez promoted to partner after defamation trial success

Vasquez became one of several unexpected stars at trial for tough questioning and frequent objections

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 15:15

Voices: Johnny Depp is dining out on his trial win in some truly distasteful ways

Opinion: Johnny Depp is dining out on his trial win in some truly distasteful ways

Depp recently hired out the whole of an Indian restaurant in Birmingham – and spent a cool £50,000

Oliver O'Connell9 June 2022 16:00

Depp reaches 10 million followers on TikTok within 24 hours of posting his first video

Depp’s TikTok following has exploded in recent days as he continues to lap up attention in the wake of his trial success.

The actor joined the video-sharing app on Monday (6 June) days after winning his multimillion-dollar defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Depp managed to reach more than 3 million followers without having posted a single piece of content. His biography on the platform reads: “Occasional Thespian.”

The Independent’s Annabel Nugent has more:

Johnny Depp reaches 10 million TikTok followers within hours of posting first video

Actor had earlier reached more than 3 million before posting any content

Megan Sheets9 June 2022 17:00

Emma Thompson says Depp v Heard trial will not ‘derail’ MeToo movement

Oscar winner Emma Thompson opened up about her views on the Depp v Heard case during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, addressing the fear expressed by some that Depp’s victory could lead women to stay silent on allegations of abuse.

Thompson urged listeners to note that the case was not “representative” of MeToo.

Asked whether the trial signalled the end of the MeToo movement, Thompson replied: “One of the things that’s very difficult to do is judge an issue like the MeToo issue brings to the fore when you’re dealing with very, very famous people. It’s a whole other thing.

“So actually one of the great issues to do with that case is fame... and how people who are famous are treated differently and viewed differently.”

The Independent’s Annabel Nugent reports:

Emma Thompson says Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial won’t ‘derail’ the MeToo movement

Actor says the case has been ‘has been blown out of all remote human proportion’

Megan Sheets9 June 2022 17:25

Depp and Heard face uphill battle to rebuild images

After an explosive six-week libel trial followed by millions on social media and live TV, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard each face an uphill battle: trying to rebuild their images and careers.

Depp already has a head start, with a jury verdict Wednesday largely favoring his narrative, that his ex-wife defamed him by accusing him of abusing her.

“Depp has a hill to climb. Heard has a mountain to climb,” said Eric Dezenhall, a crisis mitigator in Washington with no involvement in the case.

Johnny Depp and Amber Heard: Uphill battle to rebuild images

After an explosive six-week libel trial followed by millions on social media and live TV, Johnny Depp and Amber Heard each face an uphill battle as they try to rebuild their images and careers

Megan Sheets9 June 2022 18:00

Washington Post adds editor’s note to Amber Heard’s 2018 op-ed

Following the verdict in the dueling defamation suits filed by Amber Heard and Johnny Depp, the op-ed at the centre of his claim against her has been amended.

The Washington Post has added an editor’s note to the article bylined by Ms Heard and originally published in both print and online on 18 December 2018.

Washington Post adds editor’s note to Amber Heard op-ed after Johnny Depp verdict

Ms Heard testified that op-ed was not about ex-husband Johnny Depp, but jury says she defamed him

Megan Sheets9 June 2022 19:00

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