JAKARTA - Johnny Depp almost won a total in the defamation trial against Amber Heard. The six-week trial uncovered the relationship between the two actors which ended bitterly.
The jury at the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard sided with the "Pirates of the Caribbean" star, the jury decided that Depp should get compensation from Heard amounting to 15 million US dollars (IDR 218 billion), while Depp must pay compensation to Heard worth 2 million US dollars (IDR 29 billion), quoted by Reuters.
The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star is suing Heard for $50 million, saying his ex-wife tarnished his name when claiming she was a victim of domestic violence in an article she wrote in The Washington Post. Heard retaliated against $100 million, saying Depp tarnished his name for calling him a liar.
In his testimony, Depp denied hitting Heard or any other woman and said it was Heard who committed the violence in their relationship.
"The jury gave my life back. I am very grateful," said Depp, who watched the verdict from England, in an official statement.
"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun," he added, adding the Latin phrase "Veritas numquam perit. Truth never dies."
Heard, sitting between the two lawyers, looked disappointed as the verdict was read.
In a statement, Heard said he was deeply disappointed by the outcome of the trial. "I'm sad because the mountains of evidence are still not enough to face the immense power and influence of my ex-husband," she said, quoted by ANTARA.
"I'm more disappointed in what this decision means to other women. It's a setback."
The jury agreed with all of Depp's defamation claims, citing part of the article that read: "I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change."
The jury rejected two of Heard's three counterclaims. They concluded that his name was defamed when Depp's lawyers told the media that Heard deliberately damaged property to show police after the alleged brawl.
"Amber and her friends spilled the wine and ruined the place, telling their story under the direction of lawyers and publicists," the statement said at the time.
During the six-week trial, Heard's attorneys insisted his client was telling the truth and was protected by freedom of expression under the First Amendment to the US Constitution.
The two met while filming the film "The Rum Diary" in 2011 and married in February 2015. Their marriage officially ended two years later.
A number of Depp's onlookers and supporters waited outside the courthouse, a man wearing a "Jack Sparrow" pirate hat and a woman carrying the caption: "Whatever happened today, Johnny, you won!!! And the whole world knows the TRUTH!!!"
Eyewitnesses who testified at the trial included bodyguards, Hollywood executives, entertainment industry experts, doctors, friends, and family.
Depp and Heard spent days on the witness stand during the trial which was broadcast live on television and streamed on the Internet, which was attended by hundreds of Depp fans in the presence of the #JusticeForJohnnyDepp hashtag campaign on social media.
The jury at trial listened to video and audio evidence of their argument, as well as photos of the injuries Heard claimed he suffered during his relationship with Depp, as well as photos of Depp's bloodied finger that was severed during their fight, cited from AFP.
Heard denied hurting Depp's finger and accused Depp of sexually assaulting him that night with a water bottle. Heard said he hit Depp just to defend himself and his sister. The trial was also watched on social media, with many onlookers hearing details about their troubled relationship.
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