Amber Heard on Verdict: ‘Disappointed What It Means to Women’

Actress Amber Heard, 36, spoke out in the late afternoon of this Wednesday (1st) about the verdict in favor of her ex-husband, Johnny Depp, 58, in the legal dispute that the two faced in Virginia, USA. “The disappointment I feel is beyond words,” she said in a statement released by People magazine.

“I’m heartbroken that a mountain of evidence still isn’t enough to resist my ex’s power and influence. I’m even more disappointed by what this verdict means to other women. It’s a setback,” continued the actress. reading this Wednesday’s decision.

Heard accuses Depp of physical and sexual assault during their two-year union. She even published an article in the Washington Post about being a survivor of domestic violence and, even though she didn’t mention the actor’s name, he understood that it referred to him and accused her of defamation.

The actress then counterattacked and sued him as well, for defamation. He asked for compensation of US$ 50 million (about R$ 238 million) and she for US$ 100 million (about R$ 476 million). From there, the two faced each other in a trial that lasted more than six weeks and mobilized fans and celebrities.

The decision was announced by the judges on Wednesday, and was favorable to the actor. It was determined that he would receive US$10 million (R$48.1 million) in compensatory damages and US$5 million (R$24 million) in punitive damages. The second value has been reduced as Virginia law limits punitive damages in these cases.

In addition, the actress, who was left looking down and crying when reading the decision, also won part of the process and, for that, would receive US$ 2 million (R$ 9.6 million). With the calculation of all these amounts, the compensation that Heard will have to pay Depp was US$ 8.35 million (R$ 40.1 million).

Heard said in her statement, released after the ruling, that the verdict “turns the clock back to a time when a woman who speaks up can be publicly shamed and humiliated. seriously”.

“I’m sad that I lost this case. But I’m even sadder that I lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly,” she added.

Depp did not follow the reading of the verdict, but also released a statement, according to People. “Six years ago my life, that of my children and that of the people closest to me changed forever. False, very serious and criminal allegations were made against me, which unleashed a flood of hatred, which impacted my life. and my career. And six years later, the jury gave me back my life.”

The actor also thanked him for the support he received and said, “I hope that my quest for the truth to be told has helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those who support them never give up. The best is yet to come. to come and a new chapter has finally begun.”