Amber Heard’s attorney said this Thursday: actress Cannot pay more than $15 million He said the jury imposed it as compensation for defaming Johnny Depp in an opinion column, and in addition, plans to appeal the sentence.
“Have great reasons to do“There is a lot of uncontested evidence,” attorney Elaine Bredehoft said in an interview with NBC’s “Today” morning show a day after the media trial’s verdict was announced.
When asked if Heard was able to pay more than $15 million in damages, The lawyer said sternly, “Oh, absolutely not.“.
After three days of deliberation, the jury ruled Wednesday that the actress must pay 15 million in damages and an additional 5 million fine, although Fairfax County (Virginia, USA) judge Penney Azcarate reduced the second amount to $350,000.
Johnny Depp in his first case Demanded $50 million for article published in 2018 In The Washington Post and that Heard reassured the actor that he was a victim of domestic abuse without mentioning his name.
In reality, although Heard would not have had to pay those 15 million in full, the jury also ruled that Depp’s former attorney should pay his ex-wife $2 million for a comment that was deemed insulting to Heard.
“The court became a zoo”
Regarding the punishment, the lawyer felt that it sent a “terrible” message and represented a “backward” step in attempts to eradicate domestic violence. “This means that no one will believe you unless you pull out your phone and record your partner hitting you,” he said.
It was also emphasized Claims the Fairfax County courthouse allowed “A series of things that shouldn’t be allowed.” “It was like the Roman Colosseum. That’s how I lived the whole case. I was against it. Cameras allowed in courtroom and due to the sensitive nature of the subject, I recorded it. But it became a zoo,” said Bredehoft.
The interest of millions and the pressure of Depp fans, according to the lawyer They created a cartoon of Heard on social networks that “demonized” the actress and could influence the decision of the jury.
“They went home every night. They have families. Their families use social media. We took a break for 10 days because of the court meeting. It is impossible that they were not affected,” he said.
For the hypothetical source, the attorney argued: It will present most of the evidence that is not accepted in the process. and if they were part of a similar lawsuit in London, where Depp lost another libel lawsuit against The Sun newspaper for an article describing the actor as “beating women.”
“The court ruled that Depp committed up to 12 acts of domestic violence against Amber,” Bredehoft said.