Actor Johnny Depp has won more than $10 million in damages after achieving a near-total victory in a defamation suit against ex-wife Amber Heard, bringing an end to a six-week trial featuring graphic testimony about the stars' soured relationship.
In Wednesday's ruling, jurors awarded Depp $15 million in damages from Heard, which the judge reduced to $10.35 million to comply with state limits on punitive damages.
The seven-person jury in the U.S. state of Virginia also ruled for Heard on one counterclaim against Depp. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" film star depicted the decision as a vindication, and his former wife said it was "a disappointment."
The panel ordered Depp to pay Heard $2 million in damages.
Why Johnny Depp lost his libel case in the U.K. but won in the U.S. https://t.co/Vb9ORKpTBY
— The Washington Post (@washingtonpost) June 2, 2022
Domestic abuse allegations
58-year-old Depp had sued Heard for $50 million, arguing that she defamed him when she called herself "a public figure representing domestic abuse" in a newspaper opinion piece.
Heard countersued for $100 million, saying Depp smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a "hoax."
Depp denied hitting Heard - or any woman - and said she was the one who turned violent in their relationship.
He told jurors the allegations from Heard, best known for her role in "Aquaman," had cost him "everything."
A new "Pirates" movie was put on hold and Depp was replaced in the "Fantastic Beasts" film franchise, a "Harry Potter" spinoff.
In a statement, Depp said: "The jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled
"The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun," he added, ending with the Latin phrase "Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."
Heard 'heartbroken' by verdict
Heard, seated in the courtroom between two of her lawyers, looked down as the verdicts were read.
"The disappointment I feel today is beyond words," she said in a statement. "I'm heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband."
"I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women," she added. "It is a setback."
The two met in 2011 while filming "The Rum Diary" and wed in February 2015.
Their divorce was finalized about two years later.
