The actor sued his ex-wife for defamation after she referred to herself as a public determine representing home abuse in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Submit.
As a part of his protection, Johnny Depp testified in the course of the trial, a transfer his legal professionals have been reportedly anxious about as a consequence of fears he would possibly lose his mood on the stand.
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Johnny Depp’s Legal professionals Had been ‘Involved’ He Might ‘Lose His Mood’
Talking on A&E’s “Interrogation Uncooked: Superstar Beneath Oath,” two legal professionals who helped Johnny Depp win his defamation case towards Amber Heard admitted they have been initially scared they’d made the improper determination by permitting the actor to testify in the course of the trial.
“The one factor that we’re involved about is whether or not he would possibly lose his mood,” mentioned one of many legal professionals, Benjamin Chew, per Page Six.
Chew then defined that it’s sometimes the technique of the “different facet” to do “the whole lot attainable” to impress Depp into displaying anger.
If profitable, the technique might have probably swayed the jury into believing Heard’s claims of home violence, as talked about within the op-ed that prompted the defamation trial.
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Nevertheless, regardless of the dangers related to Depp testifying, Chew and the opposite legal professionals agreed to the transfer, hoping it might “humanize” him earlier than the jury and assist them perceive why “hitting the girl he liked was one thing he is simply not able to.”
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Johnny Depp’s Legal professionals Imagine the Actor’s Use Of Humor Undermined Amber Heard’s Technique
When Depp ultimately gave his testimony in April 2022, his legal professionals’ fears have been allayed, with the actor not solely remaining calm but in addition destabilizing the strategy of Heard’s lawyer, Ben Rottenborn.
Throughout his testimony, he selected to reply a few of Heard’s lawyer’s questions with jokes, reminiscent of, “I did assault a few cupboards, however I didn’t assault Ms. Heard,” when a video of him was performed the place he seemed to be performing erratically, in response to Vulture.
He additionally responded with “I imply, is not glad hour anytime?” when Rottenborn requested if the actor “generally drink whiskey within the mornings.”
In keeping with Chew, by utilizing humor, Depp was capable of “actually undermine no matter severe level Amber’s counsel was attempting to make.”
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Chew added, “One of many issues that legal professionals attempt to do on cross-examination is to keep up management of the witness. That is one thing that Johnny merely didn’t enable Heard’s lawyer to do.”
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The Actor Was Awarded $15 Million In Damages
On the finish of the trial, Depp emerged victorious, with the jury awarding him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
In a press release after the decision, he thanked the jury for the choice, saying they “gave me my life again.”
He added, “From the very starting, the purpose of bringing this case was to disclose the reality, whatever the end result. Talking the reality was one thing that I owed to my kids and to all those that have remained steadfast of their assist of me.”
Amber Heard Was Displeased With The Trial’s Consequence
In the meantime, Heard, through her rep, expressed disappointment with the choice and described it as a setback for ladies.
She shared, “I am heartbroken that the mountain of proof nonetheless was not sufficient to face as much as the disproportionate energy, affect, and sway of my ex-husband.”
“I am much more disillusioned with what this verdict means for different ladies,” Heard added. “It’s a setback. It units again the clock to a time when a lady who spoke up and spoke out may very well be publicly shamed and humiliated. It units again the concept that violence towards ladies is to be taken severely.”
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The place Is Amber Heard?
Heard had initially deliberate to enchantment the decision however ultimately agreed to settle with Depp for
for $1 million in December 2022.
Following the trial, she moved to Madrid, Spain, together with her first daughter, Oonagh Paige, whom she welcomed in April 2021 through surrogacy.
Lately, it was introduced that the actress is anticipating child No. 2, though few particulars have been revealed as a consequence of privateness causes.
“It’s nonetheless fairly early within the being pregnant, so you’ll respect that we don’t wish to go into a lot element at this stage,” Heard’s rep shared on the time, per People Magazine. “Suffice to say that Amber is delighted each for herself and Oonagh Paige.”
