![Johnny Depp and Amber Heard had been suing each other for defamation at Fairfax county, Virginia.](https://img.etimg.com/thumb/msid-91953383,width-650,height-488,imgsize-119676,resizemode-75/johnny-depp-and-amber-heard-had-been-suing-each-other-for-defamation-at-fairfax-county-virginia-.jpg)
Depp was ecstatic after the overwhelming win, and said that the US jury had given him his life back by siding with him, despite the mixed verdict. The jury, after a six-week trial, found that the ex-couple had both defamed each other. However, they supported Depp's claims far more strongly.
Taking to Instagram, the 'Pirates of Caribbean' star said that six years ago his life and that of his loved ones changed forever 'in the blink of an eye'. The actor said that serious and criminal charges were levied on him via media, and it had 'seismic impact' on his life and career.
"Speaking the truth was what I owed to my children, and those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that," said Depp in his Instagram statement after the verdict came in.
Taking to Instagram, the 'Aquaman' actress said, "The disappointment I feel today is beyond words. 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. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously."
The five-man, two-woman jury, after deliberating over three days, unanimously found Heard liable for all three counts of defamation against Johnny Depp and awarded him $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages.
Virginia law caps punitive damages at $350,000 meaning the total award is $10.35 million.
The 36-year-old Heard prevailed on just one of the three counterclaims she made against Johnny Depp and the jury awarded her compensatory damages -- but a much lower amount of $2 million.
Depp, who has been in England for the past few days, was not in court for the verdict in the high-profile trial that hinged on lurid claims and counterclaims of domestic abuse between the Hollywood celebrities. But he welcomed the verdict in a statement posted on Instagram which quickly received millions of "likes."
A few dozen onlookers and Depp supporters waited outside the courthouse in sweltering heat for the verdict, including a man sporting a Captain Jack Sparrow pirate hat. A Depp fan held a sign reading: "No matter what happens today, Johnny, you are a winner!!! And the whole world knows the TRUTH!!!"
Depp filed suit against Heard over an article she wrote for The Washington Post in December 2018 in which she described herself as a "public figure representing domestic abuse." It seems that the jury may have given a mixed verdict, but in the court of public opinion, Depp has been found not guilty on any count.
Johnny Depp wins defamation lawsuit, ex-wife Amber Heard ordered to pay $15 million in damages
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