Johnny Depp is the clear winner in his defamation trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. A Virginia jury agreed with Depp that Heard acted with actual malice and agreed with every one of Depp's defamation counts against Heard. He was awarded 15-million dollars. The jury also found in favor of Heard in some parts of her 100-million-dollar-countersuit against Depp, but only awarded her two-million dollars. Depp sued Heard for 50-million over an op-ed piece she wrote in The Washington Post about domestic violence. The "Pirates of the Caribbean" star claimed the article hurt his career and caused him to lose roles in films.
Depp found guilty of one count of defamation
Heard found guilty on all three counts of defamation
Depp – Awarded $15 million - $10 million in compensatory (money he would have made if not for the defamation) and $5 million punitive (meant to punish Amber Heard.) VA has a punitive damages cap of $350,000, so technically Depp gets $10,350,000.
Heard – Awarded $2 million in compensatory (money she would have earned if not for the defamation.) She did not receive any punitive damages from Depp.
There will be appeals and the possibility they could still settle out of court.
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