Defamation: Amber Heard and Johnny Depp reach an agreement
Former Hollywood couple Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have decided to settle their highly televised libel lawsuit.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor sued his ex-wife for $50 million over an op-ed she wrote a year after their marriage broke up.
In the article, the actress called herself a "public figure representing domestic violence."
Although his name was not mentioned, Depp claimed that the article portrayed him as an abusive partner and therefore had a negative impact on his career.
In June, a US jury finally returned a verdict after weeks of an intense trial in which shocking revelations were made by both sides.
The seven-member Virginia jury found Heard's 2018 article defamatory and awarded Depp $15 million in damages.
The jury also found that Heard had been defamed by statements by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail that her abuse allegations were a "hoax" and awarded her $2 million. dollars in damages.
While Heard expressed disappointment with the jury's decision, Depp said 'the jury gave me my life back'
Heard originally filed an appeal against the verdict earlier in the month. However, the actress revealed on Monday that they were settling the matter out of court.
“After much deliberation, I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia,” she shared via her Instagram page on Monday.
She added, "It's important for me to say that I never chose this. I stood up for my truth and in doing so, my life, as I knew it, was destroyed. Defamation I've faced on social media is an amplified version of how women are re-victimized when they come forward.
"Now I finally have the opportunity to break free from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can accept. I have made no admissions This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags as far as my voice goes forward."
Heard said his decision was based on his distrust of the "American legal system", where his domestic violence testimony "served as entertainment and social media fodder".
Compared to her UK trial, the Aquaman actress said she was better protected from having her personal life revealed to global media.
"Even if my appeal in the United States is successful, the best outcome would be a new trial where a new jury would have to review the evidence again. I just can't go through this a third time," she said. continued.
Amber said she now plans to spend her time on more productive pursuits.
In a statement provided to NBC News by Depp's attorneys, it was revealed that the actress would pay their client $1 million as part of the settlement.
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Former Hollywood couple Amber Heard and Johnny Depp have decided to settle their highly televised libel lawsuit.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor sued his ex-wife for $50 million over an op-ed she wrote a year after their marriage broke up.
In the article, the actress called herself a "public figure representing domestic violence."
Although his name was not mentioned, Depp claimed that the article portrayed him as an abusive partner and therefore had a negative impact on his career.
In June, a US jury finally returned a verdict after weeks of an intense trial in which shocking revelations were made by both sides.
The seven-member Virginia jury found Heard's 2018 article defamatory and awarded Depp $15 million in damages.
The jury also found that Heard had been defamed by statements by Depp's lawyer, Adam Waldman, who told the Daily Mail that her abuse allegations were a "hoax" and awarded her $2 million. dollars in damages.
While Heard expressed disappointment with the jury's decision, Depp said 'the jury gave me my life back'
Heard originally filed an appeal against the verdict earlier in the month. However, the actress revealed on Monday that they were settling the matter out of court.
“After much deliberation, I have made a very difficult decision to settle the defamation case brought against me by my ex-husband in Virginia,” she shared via her Instagram page on Monday.
She added, "It's important for me to say that I never chose this. I stood up for my truth and in doing so, my life, as I knew it, was destroyed. Defamation I've faced on social media is an amplified version of how women are re-victimized when they come forward.
"Now I finally have the opportunity to break free from something I attempted to leave over six years ago and on terms I can accept. I have made no admissions This is not an act of concession. There are no restrictions or gags as far as my voice goes forward."
Heard said his decision was based on his distrust of the "American legal system", where his domestic violence testimony "served as entertainment and social media fodder".
Compared to her UK trial, the Aquaman actress said she was better protected from having her personal life revealed to global media.
"Even if my appeal in the United States is successful, the best outcome would be a new trial where a new jury would have to review the evidence again. I just can't go through this a third time," she said. continued.
Amber said she now plans to spend her time on more productive pursuits.
In a statement provided to NBC News by Depp's attorneys, it was revealed that the actress would pay their client $1 million as part of the settlement.
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