Johnny Depp, Amber Heard jury verdict ended without settlement

• Johnny Depp and Amber Heard failed to reach a settlement before today’s deadline.
• This ends the jury’s verdict: Heard owes Depp more than $10 million, while he owes her $2 million.
• A spokesperson for Heard indicated that she plans to appeal the ruling.

The judge overseeing the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard ended the ruling in the case, and closed the case. Any possibility that the two sides will reach a settlement at the last minute.

A representative for Heard indicated that she plans to appeal the ruling.

The jury in the case She delivered her verdict on June 1.they find Depp and Heard defaming each other.

However, the decision tilted heavily in Depp’s favour. Jurors sided with him in all three of his lawsuits against Heard and awarded him $10 million in damages and an additional $5 million in punitive damages. They gave Heard only one victory out of her three counterclaims and gave her $2 million in damages.

Judge Benny Azcaret, who presided over the six-week trial in Fairfax County, Virginia, did not immediately put the jury’s ruling on the agenda. Instead, she said, Depp and Heard have until June 24 to reach a settlement, which she will enter into rather than a judgment. If they fail to reach a settlement, the jury’s verdict will still apply.

At Friday’s hearing, the two stars’ lawyers told the judge that no settlement had been reached. He put the jury’s verdict’s lamentations on the agenda, making it official. to her ranking He also said that the amount owed by each party is subject to annual interest at 6%, in accordance with Virginia law. Neither Depp nor Heard were present in the courtroom.

After Friday’s court hearing, a spokesperson for Heard issued a statement to reporters referring to Republican members of Congress demand amnesty Amid their attempts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.

“As stated in congressional hearings yesterday, do not ask for pardon if you are innocent,” the spokesperson said. “And don’t dismiss the appeal if you know you’re right.”

In a document attached to Azcaret’s order on Friday, Depp’s lawyers contested the $2 million ruling against him as well, leaving open the possibility of an appeal for that part of the ruling.

Benjamin Chiu, a lawyer representing Depp, hinted at the possibility of a settlement in an interview with Good Morning America hosts George Stephanopoulos Soon after the trial. He said Depp might agree to waive the monetary damages in exchange for Heard’s promise not to appeal the ruling.

In her private interview after the trial, Heard said she stood by her testimony accusing Depp of physically assaulting her during their relationship. remembrances Her punitive damages were reduced to $350,000 Because of restrictions set by state law. But Eileen Bredehoft, one of Heard’s attorneys, said the actress would not be able to afford the $8.35 million owed to Depp and would appeal the ruling.

Heard and Depp eventually did not reach any kind of settlement over the case. She now has 30 days to file an appeal notice in the case.

This article has been updated.