Depp-Heard saga: Each count that made the jurors rule in favour of the 'Pirates' actor

Jurors also concluded that part of Heard's counterclaim had merits, and awarded her $2 mn.

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With three counts, the jurors found Amber Heard had defamed Johnny Depp with "actual malice".
As a public figure, Johnny Depp faced a high bar to win his libel lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard. According to seven unanimous jurors, he cleared it.

Depp said his ex-wife defamed him in a 2018 newspaper op-ed in which she alluded to abuse allegations against Depp. His name was never mentioned.

The Virginia civil jury ruled in favor of Depp on all three of his counts Wednesday, finding that Heard had not only made false and defamatory statements, but that she'd done so with "actual malice" - a higher threshold for cases involving public figures. Jurors concluded Depp should receive more than $10 million.


Depp's victory was not absolute, though. Jurors also concluded that part of Heard's counterclaim had merits. They rejected two of Heard's three counts, but found she was defamed by a Depp lawyer who accused her of roughing up their apartment to look worse for police. The jury awarded her $2 million.

A look at each count jurors considered:

FIRST COUNT AGAINST HEARD
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Jurors considered whether Depp was defamed by the online headline of the op-ed in The Washington Post: "I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture's wrath. That has to change."

Heard's lawyers argued she didn't write the headline.

But jurors concluded Heard "made or published" it and that it was defamatory.

SECOND COUNT AGAINST HEARD
Jurors considered the op-ed's third paragraph: "Then two years ago, I became a public figure representing domestic abuse, and I felt the full force of our culture's wrath for women who speak out."
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Depp's attorneys said it clearly referenced Depp, given that Heard publicly accused him of domestic violence in 2016.

Heard's lawyers said a mountain of evidence showed Heard was abused numerous times, and that just one instance of proven abuse would make the line not defamatory. They also argued the statement was objectively true, because it was focused not on Depp, but on Heard's experience speaking out.
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Jurors disagreed, finding the statement defamatory.

THIRD COUNT AGAINST HEARD
In a second passage in the op-ed, Heard wrote, "I had the rare vantage point of seeing, in real time, how institutions protect men accused of abuse."

Depp's attorneys again said it clearly referenced Depp.

And, as with the other two counts, the jurors found Heard had defamed Depp with "actual malice" - there was clear and convincing evidence that Heard either knew it was false or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
The Good, The Bad & The Ugly: All Is Fair In Love & War For Johnny Depp
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Here's a look at his former lovers and love stories.

Here's a look at his former lovers and love stories.

Love has gone sour for Johnny Depp now, but he had been the leading man in the lives of many Hollywood stars such as Kate Moss, Winona Ryder, Vanessa Paradis, and Jennifer Grey. Here's a look at his former lovers and love stories.

Love has gone sour for Johnny Depp now, but he had been the leading man in the lives of many Hollywood stars such as Kate Moss, Winona Ryder, Vanessa Paradis, and Jennifer Grey. Here's a look at his ..
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Johnny Depp and his first make-up artist-wife Lori Anne Allison's love story began when the two were teenagers. Despite a five-year age gap, the duo bonded over their passion for music. Depp joined a band where he met Allison, the bassist’s sister.

Johnny Depp and his first make-up artist-wife Lori Anne Allison's love story began when the two were teenagers. Despite a five-year age gap, the duo bonded over their passion for music. Depp joined a..
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After tying the knot in 1983, Depp's acting career kicked off and he got the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' gig in 1984. Turns out, actor Nicolas Cage - Allison’s good friend - helped Depp get his major break. Their love story amicably ended two years after 'differences'.

After tying the knot in 1983, Depp's acting career kicked off and he got the 'A Nightmare on Elm Street' gig in 1984. Turns out, actor Nicolas Cage - Allison’s good friend - helped Depp get his major..
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Depp fell for most of his lady loves on the sets of his movies - Sherilyn Fenn during the 1985 film 'Dummies', Winona Ryder on the sets of 'Edward Scissorhands' in 1990 and Amber Heard while shooting for 'The Rum Diary' in 2009.

Depp fell for most of his lady loves on the sets of his movies - Sherilyn Fenn during the 1985 film 'Dummies', Winona Ryder on the sets of 'Edward Scissorhands' in 1990 and Amber Heard while shooting..
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Depp went on a blind date with 'Dirty Dancing' star Jennifer Grey in the 1980s. In two weeks, they fell in love and got engaged. The love story came crashing in nine months when the actress broke up with a handwritten note, "we are done," claiming he was "moody, crazy jealous, paranoid and less present" in the relationship.

Depp went on a blind date with 'Dirty Dancing' star Jennifer Grey in the 1980s. In two weeks, they fell in love and got engaged. The love story came crashing in nine months when the actress broke up ..
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It was a red-hot love affair between Kate Moss and Depp when they began dating in 1994. The nearly four-year-long relationship ended in 1997. Depp said his 'stupidity' led to the painful break-up, but the two remained friends.

It was a red-hot love affair between Kate Moss and Depp when they began dating in 1994. The nearly four-year-long relationship ended in 1997. Depp said his 'stupidity' led to the painful break-up, bu..
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Depp bumped into Vanessa Paradis in 1998 at a hotel lobby in Paris, and the love affair continued for 14 years. They never married but were parents to two children - Lily-Rose Depp in May 1999 and John 'Jack' Christopher Depp III in 2002. The duo ended their relationship in 2012. At that time, the real reason for their break-up wasn't known. In April 2022, Depp revealed he had cheated on Paradis with Heard which ended their relationship.

Depp bumped into Vanessa Paradis in 1998 at a hotel lobby in Paris, and the love affair continued for 14 years. They never married but were parents to two children - Lily-Rose Depp in May 1999 and Jo..
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Depp & Heard met each other in 2009 during shooting for 'The Rum Diary'. After a hot and steamy shower scene followed by kisses and wine, Depp was getting close with Heard. After ending it with Paradis, the actor and Heard got together around early 2012 and sealed the deal in 2015, a year after their engagement.

Depp & Heard met each other in 2009 during shooting for 'The Rum Diary'. After a hot and steamy shower scene followed by kisses and wine, Depp was getting close with Heard. After ending it with Parad..
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In May 2016, Heard filed for divorce and got a temporary restraining order against the actor. From the divorce proceedings to wife-beater and domestic violence allegations, the secrets from Depp's personal life became a part of public knowledge. The messy divorce was settled after Depp paid her $7 million in August 2016.

In May 2016, Heard filed for divorce and got a temporary restraining order against the actor. From the divorce proceedings to wife-beater and domestic violence allegations, the secrets from Depp's pe..
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FIRST COUNT AGAINST DEPP
Heard levied three counts of defamation against Depp, saying she'd been repeatedly defamed by his former attorney Adam Waldman, who called Heard's abuse allegations a hoax. Heard said the comments hurt her career.

Jurors considered a statement from Waldman that appeared on The Daily Mail's website April 8, 2020: "Amber Heard and her friends in the media use fake sexual-violence allegations as both a sword and shield depending on their needs. They have selected some of her sexual-violence hoax 'facts' as the sword, inflicting them on the public and Mr. Depp."

Jurors concluded that Heard's attorneys had not proven all the elements of defamation.

SECOND COUNT AGAINST DEPP
Heard scored her only victory over a statement Waldman gave to The Daily Mail. He accused Heard and her friends of fabricating abuse allegations following a 2016 fight in the couple's Hollywood penthouse that prompted Heard to call police.

The statement reads: "Quite simply this was an ambush, a hoax. They set Mr. Depp up by calling the cops, but the first attempt didn't do the trick. The officers came to the penthouses, thoroughly searched and interviewed, and left after seeing no damage to face or property. So Amber and her friends spilled a little wine and roughed the place up, got their stories straight under the direction of a lawyer and publicist, and then placed a second call to 911."

Two officers testified they saw no signs Heard was injured, though she appeared in public with a mark on her face a few days later seeking a temporary restraining order.

Jurors agreed with Heard's attorneys that Waldman's statement was false and defamatory and that he'd acted with actual malice.

THIRD COUNT AGAINST DEPP
The final count against Waldman involved a statement from the same article: "We have reached the beginning of the end of Ms. Heard's abuse hoax against Johnny Depp."

Jurors concluded Heard's lawyers had not proven the statement to be defamatory.
Kate Moss, Winona Ryder, Amber Heard - Johnny Depp's Love Saga
1/7

It is hard to escape Johnny Depp’s charm. Despite facing charges of domestic violence, the actor has an army of female fans rooting for him in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard which is currently taking place at Fairfax county, in Virginia. Deep had, in his illustrious career, been quite a hopeless romantic, falling in love several times, especially with his co-stars.

Here’s a look back at the actor’s high profile relationships that grabbed news headlines and defined pop culture.

It is hard to escape Johnny Depp’s charm. Despite facing charges of domestic violence, the actor has an army of female fans rooting for him in his defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard whic..
Read More

Johnny Depp got married for the first time with makeup artist Lori Anne Allison who was instrumental in Depp’s success in Hollywood. The couple tied the knot in 1983 and although they were only married for two years, it was Allison who introduced the star to Nicholas Cage who helped him bag his ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street’ role. The 1984 horror film was an instant success catapulting Depp to stardom.

Johnny Depp got married for the first time with makeup artist Lori Anne Allison who was instrumental in Depp’s success in Hollywood. The couple tied the knot in 1983 and although they were only marri..
Read More

Johnny Depp reportedly had a massive crush on the ‘Dirty Dancing’ star, and insisted her agent to introduce him to her. The two met on a blind date, and there were instant fireworks. They ran into an hasty engagement, and Grey was absolutely in love with the actor when suddenly Depp switched gears and moved onto Winona Rider.

Johnny Depp reportedly had a massive crush on the ‘Dirty Dancing’ star, and insisted her agent to introduce him to her. The two met on a blind date, and there were instant fireworks. They ran into an..
Read More

One of the most talked about relationships that Depp had been in, was with his ‘Edward Scissorhands’ co-star Winona Ryder. Ryder and Depp were also famous, engaged and so much in love that Depp went ahead and got a tattoo that said, ‘Winona Forever’. Unfortunately for the couple though, their relationship came to an end in 1993, just three years after it began on the sets of a surrealist film. Depp still has the tattoo, but the words have been changed to ‘Wino Forever.’

One of the most talked about relationships that Depp had been in, was with his ‘Edward Scissorhands’ co-star Winona Ryder. Ryder and Depp were also famous, engaged and so much in love that Depp went ..
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The relationship between the famous British model Kate Moss and Johnny Depp began in 1994, when the pair met in a New York restaurant. The couple dated for four years before calling it quits. Reportedly, Moss spent "years of crying" after their romance ended.



However, the model only had good things to say about her ex- love at the recent Amber Heard and Johnny Depp trail. There had been rumours that Depp had pushed Moss down the stairs when they were dating, and Amber Heard had brought this topic up in her testimony but Moss had appeared as a witness for Depp during the recent trial and trashed those rumors as untrue.

The relationship between the famous British model Kate Moss and Johnny Depp began in 1994, when the pair met in a New York restaurant. The couple dated for four years before calling it quits. Reporte..
Read More

Depp had a longer and more stable relationship after failed relationships with Moss and Ryder, with Venessa Paradis. The couple stayed married for 14 years and welcomed two kids Lily-Rose in 1999 and Jack in 2002 during this period.


However, The two split in 2012, and although it wasn’t an easy separation, things did not get bitter between them. It was widely believed that the separation happened due to the couple’s conflicting schedules.

Depp had a longer and more stable relationship after failed relationships with Moss and Ryder, with Venessa Paradis. The couple stayed married for 14 years and welcomed two kids Lily-Rose in 1999 and..
Read More

Johnny Depp met Amber Heard on the sets of ‘The Rum Diary’. However, at the time the two were in relationships with others, so they did not start dating till 2012. The couple dated for a while before tying the knot in 2015. Then ensued their tumultuous marriage which lasted for about two years.



However, after the divorce, Heard wrote an op-ed for The Washington Post in which she claimed that she was a victim of domestic abuse, and without naming Depp insinuated that he was the abuser. That op-ed resulted in Depp being dropped from several films, and finally the actor sued his ex-wife for defamation.

Johnny Depp met Amber Heard on the sets of ‘The Rum Diary’. However, at the time the two were in relationships with others, so they did not start dating till 2012. The couple dated for a while before..
Read More


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