Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial: summary 10 June
Depp v Heard: the aftermath live
Depp v Heard aftermath headlines
- Depp lawyer Camille Vasquez made a partner at law firm Brown Rudnick
- Vasquez dismisses "sexist" rumours of romance with Depp
- "I will always be proud of you for standing up for yourself," Heard told by sister
- Heard intends to appeal trial verdict, lawyer says
- Depp posts social-media message thanking fans for support
AS USA articles related to Depp v Heard:
On Wednesday 1 June 2022, the jury in Johnny Depp’s defamation trial against Amber Heard announced its verdict on the case, finding that the actress was liable for defaming the actor. She was ordered to pay Depp $15 million: $10 million in compensatory and $5 million in punitive damages, but the judge reduced the punitive damages award to Virginia’s maximum of $350,000. As for her counter-suit, the actor must hand over $2 million.
LA penthouse Depp and Heard called home is for sale
During much of the 15-month marriage of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was spent living in a downtown Los Angeles penthouse located in the historic Art Deco Eastern Columbia Building.
The 1,700 square foot residence is now on the market, listed for nearly $1.8 million.
A Stanford professor's offensive tweets of Camille Vasquez receive backlash from Johnny Depp fans
Michele Dauber, a Stanford law professor, posted 'offensive and disparaging' tweets saying that women lawyers who "suck up to male power" by representing them in court are "to prove they are 'real lawyers'" and "throw women under the bus as hard and fast as they can."
With reference to Johnny Depp's lawyer, Camille Vasquez, she called her a 'pick me girl' which is a phrase normally used to refer to women who crave male validation. Her tweets have drawn the ire of Depp fans and unleashed a barrage of online abuse.
Johnny Depp's defamation trial lawyer Camille Vasquez on celebrity status
It's overwhelming, but I really believe that to the extent that I could inspire young women to stay in school, work hard and maybe pursue a career in law, then it was all worth it because that's what's important at the end of the day.
that's the new medium for communication and that's how young people and people in general really communicate and absorb news and become inspired. And so if that's the forum, so be it.
Depp's co-stars back the return of Jack Sparrow
After a Dior advert featuring Depp was aired on prime time in the US, the actor's Pirates of the Caribbean co-stars have called for a return to the Disney franchise for Depp's character, Captain Jack Sparrow.
Kevin McNally, who plays First Mate Mr Gibbs, told the Daily Express: I’ve never seen a hint of any dark side to Johnny. I see a great humanitarian and a beautiful human being. I don’t see any impediment for him coming back and playing Jack Sparrow. I think there was a general feeling that without Jack there is no Pirates franchise. And there’s probably a lot of truth in that."
Johnny Depp was awarded just over $10 million in damages after the conclusion of the trial in Virginia - and ordered to pay Amber Heard $2 million. Heard appears likely to appeal the verdict and will almost certainly appeal the compensatory figures given by the jury. However it seems very likely that Depp will receive a substantial payment as a result of the case, to add to his already-huge personal wealth.
Snopes check out viral courtroom rumours
Fact-checkers Snopes have looked into a viral moment in the Depp v Heard trial, when two members of the audience appeared to break out in uncontrollable laughter, before exiting the courtroom.
While confirming that this is indeed what happened, Snopes say it has "remained unclear to us, as of this writing, what prompted the laughter".
Meanwhile, Snopes have dismissed claims that a witness loudly farted while being questioned on the stand. "This rumor doesn't pass the smell test," they say.
Billie Eilish references Depp v Heard in new song
Singer-songwriter Billie Eilish has referenced the Depp v Heard case in an as yet unreleased song that she debuted while on tour in the UK this week.
The 20-year-old performed the song, “TV”, with her brother Finneas at Manchester’s AO Arena on Tuesday, ET Canada reports.
“TV” includes the line: “The internet’s gone wild watching movie stars on trial / While they’re overturning Roe v Wade.”
Eilish is also set to perform in London, Glasgow and Birmingham over the next three weeks, as well as cities in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Switzerland.
(Photo: Shirlaine Forrest/Getty Images for Live Nation UK)
#MeToo movement won't be derailed by Depp v Heard - Emma Thompson
Dame Emma Thompson says she believes the #MeToo movement “is not going to be derailed” by the Depp v Heard trial.
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4 programme Women’s Hour on Thursday, the actor said: “One of the things it’s difficult to do is judge an issue like the issues that the #MeToo movement brings to the fore when you’re dealing with very, very, very famous people. It’s a whole other thing. So actually one of the great issues to do with that case is fame and how people who are famous are treated differently and viewed differently.
"I would say that the #MeToo movement is not going to be derailed by that, but in order for it not to be derailed, we just have to keep on talking. We have to keep on talking and refuse to allow it to be derailed by a case [involving] two very, very, very famous people, which has been blown out of all remote human proportion.”
She added: “A case where the two protagonists are that famous is not representative. And it's just very important to remember that. That this movement, which is about human kindness and is just so simple, really, and has been made so complicated, cannot and will not be derailed by one case.
“That’s not going to happen, actually. It simply won’t happen.”
(Photo: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
AS USA's Jeffrey May discusses what Depp and Heard's future prospects are following last week's verdict in their defamation suit and counter-suit.
Heard team "should look in the mirror" - Depp attorney Chew
Ben Chew has hit back at criticism from Amber Heard's camp that Johnny Depp’s legal team have been going on “victory lap” interviews following the end of the defamation trial in Virginia.
Chew, who represented Depp together with Camille Vasquez, told Law and Crime Network: “This is kind of a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
“[Heard lawyer] Ms Bredehoft went on some of the morning shows the day after the verdict to put her spin on it, so if she has a problem with that she should look in the mirror.”
AS USA's Jennifer Bubel takes a look back at some of the crucial moments in the six-week-long Depp v Heard trial.
Recommended listening on the impact of Depp v Heard
Earlier this week, the New York Times podcast the Dailydiscussed what the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial means for #MeToo. Host Michael Barbaro spoke to Times journalist Julia Jacobs, who has written a piece on the issue.
Jacobs shared the view of legal expert Andrew Miltenberg, who says the outcome of the case may encourage other other men to fight allegations of abuse or misconduct by bringing defamation suits in front of a jury.
Depp v Heard is “a signal that a jury in a case like this could be willing to side with the accused, who has sued the accuser for defamation”, Jacobs was told.
Miltenberg “can see a world in which plaintiffs feel emboldened to bring these cases into the public, to try to find the redemption that Johnny Depp seems to have achieved”, Jacobs said.
Dior resurrects Depp ad
TMZ reports that the effect of Johnny Depp’s defamation trial win can already be seen when it comes to sponsors’ use of his image.
The 59-year-old, who has been contracted to Dior since 2015, appeared in a prime-time ad for one of the fashion firm’s fragrances on Fox on Wednesday night, during an commercial break in the programme ‘Masterchef’.
Heard sister: "Proud of you for standing up for yourself"
Earlier this week, Heard's sister, Whitney Henriquez, who testified for the Aquaman star during the defamation trial, posted a social-media message telling her: "I will always be proud of you for standing up for yourself".
Henriquez's message in full:
"I still stand with you, sissy. Yesterday, today and tomorrow I will always be proud of you for standing up for yourself, for testifying both here in Virginia and in the UK, and for being the voice of so many who can’t speak to the things that happen behind closed doors. We knew that this was going to be an uphill battle and that the cards were stacked against us. But you stood up and spoke out regardless.
"I am so honored to testify for you, and I would do it a million times over because I know what I saw and because the truth is forever on your side.
"I’m so sorry that it wasn’t reflected in the decision made by this jury, but I will never give up on you, and neither will anyone who stands with you. Forever by your side… #istandwithamberheard".
See also: Heard sister posts message of support
Will Gittins has also taken a look back at some of the weirder moments witnessed during the six-week defamation trial at Fairfax County Court.
On Tuesday, it was announced that Camille Vasquez has been rewarded for her role in representing Depp by being promoted to partner at her law firm, Brown Rudnick.
"Comes with territory of being a woman just doing her job" - Vasquez brushes off Depp romance rumours
In an interview with People magazine, lawyer Camille Vasquez has dismissed rumours over romance between her and client Johnny Depp, branding the talk "sexist".
“I guess it comes with the territory of being a woman just doing her job," Vasquez said.
"It's disappointing that certain outlets kind of ran with it or said that my interactions with Johnny - who is a friend and I've known and represented for four-and-a-half years now - that my interactions in any way were inappropriate or unprofessional. That's disappointing to hear.
"I care very deeply about my clients, and we have obviously become close. But when I say we, I mean the entire team, and of course that includes Johnny," says Vasquez. "And, I'm Cuban and Colombian. I'm tactile. What do you want me to say? I hug everyone. And I'm not ashamed about that."
Depp thanks fans in social-media video message
Following the end of his recent UK tour with musician Jeff Beck, Depp this week posted a video message thanking his fans for their support during the trial. In the video, published on his new TikTok account, as well as other social-media platforms, he said:
“To all of my most treasured, loyal and unwavering supporters. We’ve been everywhere together, we have seen everything together. We have walked the same road together. We did the right thing together, all because you cared. And now, we will all move forward together. You are, as always, my employers and once again I am whittled down to no way to say thank you, other than just by saying thank you. So, thank you. My love & respect, JD.”
Full story:Depp thanks fans for support in video message
(Photo: Neil Mockford/GC Images/Getty)
AS USA's Calum Roche looks at when Amber Heard's appeal against the verdict could go ahead.
ICYMI: Heard to appeal, cannot pay Depp damages - lawyer
In case you missed it, Heard’s lawyer Elaine Bredehoft said last week that Amber Heard “absolutely” intends to appeal the verdict, telling the Today Show that her client has “some excellent grounds” to challenge the outcome of the trial.
“A number of things were allowed in this court that should not have been allowed,” Bredehoft said.
She also told Today host Savannah Guthrie that Heard is “absolutely not” in a position to pay the damages awarded to Depp.
See also: Heard has "excellent grounds" for appeal, lawyer says
(Photo: EVELYN HOCKSTEIN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Depp v Heard live updates: welcome
Good morning and welcome to our daily live blog on the aftermath of the Depp v Heard trial, in which a Virginia jury last week found that Amber Heard had defamed ex-husband Johnny Depp in a 2018 Washington Post op-ed entitled: "I spoke up against sexual violence - and faced our culture’s wrath. That has to change".
Heard was ordered to pay Depp damages of $10.35m, but also won out on one count of her defamation counter-suit against the Pirates of the Caribbean star. She was awarded $2m.