Amber Heard Files Notice Of Appeal In Johnny Depp Defamation Case Verdict

 

Hollywood actress Amber Heard has officially filed a notice of appeal against the $10 million verdict, which found her liable for defaming her ex-husband Johnny Depp. Heard’s legal team filed the appeal on Thursday.

Heard’s spokesperson said on Thursday, "We believe the court made errors that prevented a just and fair verdict consistent with the First Amendment. We are therefore appealing the verdict.” Subsequently, Depp's representative said his team remains confident that the final verdict will be upheld. Depp’s spokesperson reportedly said, "We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand.”

Earlier this month, the Virginia court had rejected Heard's demand for a new trial in the defamation case. The judge, who presided over the six-week trial in April-June, issued a written order denying Heard’s request to have the June 1 verdict set aside.

Heard had asked for a new trial because one of the jurors chosen for the trial was not the same person who received the jury summons. Her lawyers also claimed that she was unaware of the headline of her article.

The defamation trial

The defamation trial on June 1 ended with the Virginia court ordering Heard to pay USD 10 million in compensatory damages and USD 5 million in punitive damages to Depp. However, Depp was only ordered to pay Heard USD 2 million.

Depp sued Heard for defamation in March 2019 after she wrote a 2018 op-ed piece in The Washington Post, where she claimed to be the survivor of domestic abuse. Depp’s lawyers said the article defamed him by referring to allegations of abuse as she filed for divorce with Depp in 2016. Later on, Heard countersued Depp for $100 million in 2021.

This month, Heard's insurance company claimed that Depp was willingly defamed by Heard. Moreover, the insurance company also refused to pay for the damages Heard owes her ex-husband.