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Johnny Depp - latest: Actor may let Amber Heard escape $8m damages if she drops appeal, lawyers suggest

Oliver O'Connell,Megan Sheets ,Clémence Michallon and Peony Hirwani
·28-min read

Johnny Depp emerged victorious in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard following three days of deliberations by the jury, which also handed Heard a partial win in her countersuit.

Depp sued Heard for $50m for implying he abused her in a 2018Washington Post op-ed. Although she didn’t name him, he claims her allegations impacted his ability to work. She pursued a $100m counterclaim.

The jury determined Heard defamed Depp on all three counts and awarded him $10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages. Heard was awarded $2m compensatory damages.

The “humbled” actor thanked the jury for giving him his life back. He is currently playing gigs on a UK tour with Jeff Beck. His lawyers gave their first interviews on Wednesday in which when asked about the possibility of dropping damages, they said the case was never about money.

In a statement, Heard expressed “disappointment beyond words” and said she was heartbroken, claiming the verdict was a “setback” for women. She has decided to appeal the verdict and is “unable to pay” the damages. Celebrities who have spoken up in her defence have been bombarded with negative comments by Depp fans.

Key points

Depp posts thank you message to fans

15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp has released a video message to fans pledging to “move forward,” after winning the high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Less than a week after the jury ruled in favour of the Pirates actor, Depp posted a video compilation of footage from his recent concerts.

Inga Parkel has the story:

Johnny Depp shares video message to fans pledging to ‘move forward’

Voices: Amber Heard didn’t ask for any of this — but the verdict will change her life

14:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Kathleen N Walsh writes:

There’s a fair argument to be made that no matter which way the jury went in the Johnny Depp-Amber Heard defamation case, Heard — and domestic abuse survivors at large — had already lost. Certainly, the weeks and weeks of social media abuse, the humiliation, and the relived trauma Heard endured throughout this highly public trial would be enough on its own to have a chilling effect on future domestic abuse survivors. But the verdict still matters. And it especially matters because Heard never asked for any of this: Lest we forget, Depp sued her.

Read more:

Amber Heard didn’t ask for any of this — but the verdict will change her life

Why did the jury not believe Heard?

14:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Guthrie asks why the jury did not believe Ms Heard’s claims about Mr Depp and abuse.

Lawyer Ben Chew says it came down to “accountability”, in that Mr Depp took accountability for his alcohol and drug abuse and text messages, where the jury may have perceived that Ms Heard didn’t take accountability for anything.

As for the larger message beyond the case, Camille Vasquez says she doesn’t see one and that they encourage all victims to come forward and have their day in court “which is exactly what happened in this case”.

Depp lawyers says ‘categorically false’ there was paid social media campaign for actor

14:05 , Oliver O'Connell

On Today, Savannah Guthrie asks if there was an orchestrated social media campaign in fabour of Johnny Depp paid for by the actor’s team.

They say the claim is “absolutely absurd” and “categorically false”.

Social media ‘played no role whatsoever’ in jury’s verdict in Amber Heard trial, says lawyer

14:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp’s attorney has claimed that social media “played no role whatsoever” in the jury’s verdict in his defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Ben Chew, who represented the Pirates actor at the trial in Fairfax, Virginia, dismissed claims from Ms Heard’s legal team that the social media circus surrounding the case could have influenced the outcome.

Rachel Sharp reports:

Johnny Depp’s attorney claims social media ‘played no role whatsoever’ in verdict

Depp’s legal team deny ‘victory lap’ after landmark win against Amber Heard

13:51 , Oliver O'Connell

The legal team for Johnny Depp has denied the accusation from a spokesperson for Amber Heard who said the attorneys were taking a “victory lap” by making TV appearances following their client winning a blockbuster defamation case.

Attorneys Camile Vasquez and Ben Chew were grilled by Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos on Wednesday morning in one of their first televised interviews since their client emerged victorious in his defamation case against his ex-wife.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

Depp’s lawyers deny ‘victory lap’ after winning defamation case against Amber Heard

Depp lawyers claim evidence submitted in US trial exceeded that of UK trial

13:46 , Oliver O'Connell

Ms Guthrie asks their opinion on why the UK judgment against Mr Depp in his defamation trial against The Sun was not included in the US trial. That case found the paper’s claims about him being a “wife-beater” were substantially true.

Ms Vasquez responds: “It was a different process, and also in this case, Mr Depp and Ms Heard were parties with different disclosure obligations.”

“The overwhelming evidence that was presented in this case in Virginia far exceeded what was presented in the UK, and we believe the jury got it right.”

Lawyers say case ‘overwhelmingly positive’ for Depp despite his own defamation ruling

13:39 , Oliver O'Connell

In a second interview on NBC’s Today show, Savannah Guthrie asked Johnny Depp’s lawyers how they square the defamation ruling against their client with the rest of the verdict.

Ms Vasquez responded that the verdict was “overwhelmingly positive” in Mr Depp’s favour.

Asked about what Amber Heard’s lawyer’s claims that evidence was not permitted to be seen by the jury that would have verified Ms Heard’s claims against Mr Depp, Mr Chew responded that it was “very disappointing to hear that” and that he felt the judge was very fair to both sides.

Depp may drop damages claim against Heard if she stops appeal, lawyers suggest

13:26 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp’s lawyers appeared on Good Morning America after winning the defamation trial against his ex-wife Amber Heard.

Host George Stephanopoulos asked if Mr Depp would forego the $8.35m in damages if Ms Heard dropped her appeal. Attorney Ben Chew said the case was never about money for Mr Depp but that he couldn’t reveal much more because of attorney-client privilege.

Read more:

Johnny Depp may drop $8m damages claim against Amber Heard

Depp lawyers Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez appear on Good Morning America

13:10 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp’s lawyers Ben Chew and Camille Vasquez gave their first interview this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America.

Speaking with George Stephanopoulos, Ms Vasquez says she thinks the key to victory in the case was focusing on the facts and the evidence.

She adds that Mr Depp “spoke the truth and connected with the jury and the public”.

Mr Chew says that Mr Depp was “over the moon” when he heard about the verdict.

“It was like the weight of the world was lifted off his shoulders,” he says.

Ms Vasquez denies that the verdict is not a setback foe women as has been claimed by Amber Heard’s team. She thinks it is important for any victim to come forward, adding: “Abuse doesn’t have a gender.”

Asked if Mr Depp would forgo the monetary judgment if Ms Heard dropped her appeal, Mr Chew says this was never about money for Mr Depp, but he cannot say any more because of attorney-client privilege.

When asked about the fame they’ve garnered from the trial on social media, Ms Vasquez says she hopes it can encourage women to go to law school and work hard.

Johnny Depp launches TikTok account amid push for comeback

13:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp is now on TikTok.

The 58-year-old actor, who recently won a multimillion-dollar defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, joined the video-sharing app on Monday (6 June).

So far, Depp has amassed more than 800k followers on the verified TikTok account @JohnnyDepp.

Despite the large following, the Pirates of The Caribbean star is yet to post his first TikTok video.

Read more:

Johnny Depp launches TikTok account amid push for comeback

Snoop Dogg weighs in on Depp v Heard trial

12:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Snoop Dogg has said he prays that everyone can “learn to get along” following the verdicts in the defamation trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.

The rapper said he had been “busy doing Snoop Dogg” and so did not keep up with the high-profile case, but hoped others could “be better, with or without each other”.

Press Association reports:

Snoop Dogg hopes ‘everyone can get learn to get along’ after Depp v Heard trial

Johnny Depp mobbed by fans in Birmingham

11:30 , Peony Hirwani

Excited fans swarmed Johnny Depp’s tour bus and brought traffic to a halt after a concert, with one onlooker comparing the scenes to Beatlemania.

The actor was leaving Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on Monday after playing alongside rocker Jeff Beck when he was mobbed.

Footage shows fans packing around the blacked-out coach, with one sat on the shoulders of another and holding up a sign to the windows of the vehicle.

Josie Adnitt reports:

Unlikely cult celebrities of the Depp v Heard trial

11:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Fans of the estranged couple exhaustively documented Depp and Heard’s every move and mannerism in court, their attorneys’ arguments, the judge’s interventions and a wealth of colourful witness testimony on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, carving up what might have amounted to dry legal proceedings into a spectator sport.

All of which has raised disapproving eyebrows in some quarters, with concerns expressed that the real issue at the heart of the case, domestic violence, was lost in what has become a bad taste viral soap opera.

While those criticisms are more than valid, there is no question that the trial provided an extraordinary spectacle and a cast of unforgettable supporting characters who found themselves unlikely cult celebrities.

Unlikely cult celebrities of Johnny Depp v Amber Heard, from lawyers to alpacas

Trial wristbands on sale for $5,000 on eBay

09:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Some spectators who attended the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in Fairfax County, Virginia are now selling their paper wristbands online.

Sheriffs at the Fairfax County courthouse distributed wristbands as a crowd control measure at the highly publicised trial, which attracted a large number of vocal Depp fans in particular.

Several people who were admitted to the courthouse are now selling those disposable, colour-coded paper wristbands – stamped with their date of entry – on auction websites like eBay for as much as $5,000 (£4,000).

Amanda Whiting reports:

Depp vs Heard trial wristbands on sale for £4,000 on eBay

Trial stenographer denies ‘partying’ with Depp

07:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The stenographer who chronicled Depp and Heard’s defamation trial has been dragged into a social media firestorm after footage of her hugging the Pirates actor went viral.

In the video, court reporter Judy Bellinger was seen embracing Depp after both sides presented closing arguments on 27 May.

Ms Bellinger was forced to defend herself after Heard supporters claimed the footage is proof of bias.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander reports:

Depp v Heard stenographer denies ‘partying’ with actor as critics accuse her of bias

Heard lawyer says ‘enormous amount of evidence was suppressed’ in trial

05:01 , Oliver O'Connell

A lawyer representing Amber Heard in her defamation trial against Johnny Depp has spoken out following the verdict to say that “an enormous amount of evidence was suppressed” during the weeks-long trial.

Attorney Elaine Bredehoft appeared on The Today Show on Thursday morning, hours after a jury determined Ms Heard defamed Mr Depp on all three counts in his lawsuit against her regarding a 2018 op-ed she wrote in the Washington Post about being a victim of domestic abuse.

The jury also found in favour of one of three claims in Ms Heard’s countersuit, determining that Mr Depp’s lawyer had called her abuse allegations against her ex-husband a hoax.

Megan Sheets reports:

Amber Heard lawyer says ‘enormous amount of evidence suppressed’ in Johnny Depp trial

Heard ‘unable to pay’ the millions in damages

04:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard’s lawyer says that her client will be unable to pay the millions in damages she must hand over to Johnny Depp after a jury determined she defamed her ex-husband in the weeks-long trial.

Speaking one day after the verdict was delivered, attorney Elaine Bredehoft told Savannah Guthri while appearing on NBC’s The Today Show that her client is “absolutely not” able to pay the $8.35m in damages that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor won after a jury deliberated for three days following the closely followed, and widely panned, trial.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

Amber Heard can’t pay $8.35m damages to Johnny Depp, says lawyer. What happens next?

Celebrities inundated by Johnny Depp fans after showing support for Amber Heard

03:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Celebrities who have appeared to show support for Amber Heard are being bombarded with comments from Johnny Depp’s fanbase on social media.

Among those targetted online are actors Mia Farrow and Edward Norton.

Ed Norton and Mia Farrow inundated by Johnny Depp fans over Amber Heard support

How much do Depp and Amber Heard owe each other?

02:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Depp prevailed in his $50m (£40m) defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard over accusations of domestic abuse last week.

A seven-person civil jury in Virginia found that Ms Heard defamed the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts star when she implied he abused her in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post.

The jury also upheld one of Ms Heard’s three claims in a $100m countersuit against Mr Depp and his lawyer, who had called her original allegations in 2016 an “ambush” and “a hoax”.

Neither side got the full amount they wanted.

Io Dodds reports:

How much do Johnny Depp and Amber Heard owe each other?

Heard’s sister breaks her silence following verdict

01:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Heard’s sister Whitney Henriquez took to Instagram on Sunday to say she is “proud” of the Aquaman actor despite last week’s verdict.

“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,” wrote Henriquez, who had testified during the trial.

“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.”

The Independent’s Annabel Nugent reports:

Amber Heard’s sister breaks silence after verdict

Heard’s options to appeal: Evidentiary issues

Wednesday 8 June 2022 00:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Speaking to Clémence Michallon about appeal options, Jesse Weber, a host and attorney at the Law & Crime network, pointed to statements made by Heard attorney Elaine Bredehoft in interviews after the trial in seeking to outline possible strategies for Ms Heard’s legal team.

“The arguments on appeal are focused on what Heard believes are incorrect legal rulings by the judge. That is why making objections and motions during the course of the trial is so important to preserve these issues for appeal,” he said.

“Based on Elaine Bredehoft’s comments after the verdict, it seems they will be focusing on evidence that was ‘suppressed’ at trial, such as medical records, and perhaps arguing prejudicial evidence from [Mr Depp] was allowed to be introduced. It also seems [Ms Heard’s team] took issue with the fact that the UK ruling, where a judge found multiple instances of abuse by [Mr Depp], could not be presented to the jury.”

Mr Depp sued The Sun’s publishing company in 2018 over a headline which had called him a “wife beater”. A judge ruled against him in the UK case in 2020.

Ms Heard’s attorneys “could also argue there were problems with the jury instructions/jury form,” Mr Weber added.

Depp and Jeff Beck splash out $60k on Indian dinner

Tuesday 7 June 2022 23:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Depp and Jeff Beck racked up a massive bill at an Indian restaurant in Birmingham, following the actor’s defamation trial win.

Depp has been in the UK performing concerts with musician Beck, even missing the final day of the trial for a show, when the jury announced the verdict on 1 June. The two recently announced they will be releasing a new album next month.

On Sunday (5 June), the pair closed Varanasi restaurant to the public, as they were reportedly joined by 20 other friends to share a meal.

According to TMZ, the eatery’s Operations Director Mohammed Hussain said Depp’s final bill was around £50,000 ($60,000) in total.

In an Instagram post, the restaurant shared a few photos, along with a caption that read: “The most talked about person on the planet right now joined us for dinner last night!”

The Independent’s Inga Parkel reports:

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck rack up £50k bill at Indian restaurant in Birmingham

Will Johnny Depp return to Pirates franchise after winning defamation trial?

Tuesday 7 June 2022 22:30 , Oliver O'Connell

In late 2019, it was announced that Disney would be moving forward in developing a script for a Pirates of the Caribbean reboot.

At the time, it hadn’t formally been announced whether Johnny Depp would be attached to the new project.

Here’s what we know about the future of the franchise:

Will Johnny Depp return to Pirates franchise after winning defamation trial?

Fan sparks debate by giving herself tattoo of Depp’s lawyer

Tuesday 7 June 2022 22:00 , Oliver O'Connell

A woman has drawn mixed reactions online after she gave herself a tattoo of Depp’s lawyer, Camille Vasquez.

Throughout the six-week trial, Vasquez became one of the most well-known figures on the case. She’s since gained massive attention online and has been celebrated on Twitter and Instagram. Rumours also sparked that she has been dating Depp, which Vasquez laughed at and declined to answer further.

In a recent video shared to TikTok, Jazzmyn Wollfe, documented how she gave herself “a Camille Vasquez tattoo”. She first showed a silhouette of the lawyer, drawn on a piece of paper, who was standing in front of a microphone. Below the portrait, Wollfe wrote, “OBJECTION”.

The Independent’s Amber Raiken reports:

Woman sparks debate by giving herself a tattoo of Johnny Depp’s lawyer

Johnny Depp v Amber Heard jurors ‘fell asleep’ during testimony, stenographer says

Tuesday 7 June 2022 21:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A court stenographer from the defamation trial involving Johnny Depp and Amber Heard claimed jury members kept falling asleep during the entire six-week-long proceedings.

In a new interview with the Law & Crime Network on Monday (6 June), stenographer Judy Bellinger claimed a few jurors fell asleep at multiple points during the trial.

“There were a few jurors who were dozing off,” she said. “And it was tough. There were a lot of video depositions, and they would just sit there, and all of a sudden I’d see their head drop.”

Ms Bellinger also claimed that the juror who ended up paying the most attention was “unfortunately” not involved in the final verdict.

Read more:

Johnny Depp v Amber Heard jurors ‘fell asleep’ during testimony, stenographer says

Amber Heard should appeal ‘inconsistent’ Johnny Depp verdict, says Lisa Bloom

Tuesday 7 June 2022 21:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Attorney Lisa Bloom believes we have not seen the end of the Johnny Depp v Amber Heard trial, and that the case will be decided on appeal.

Ms Bloom, whose clients have included Janice Dickinson (in her allegations against Bill Cosby), actor Mischa Barton (in a revenge porn lawsuit), and Harvey Weinstein (for whom Ms Bloom was an early advisor before resigning) spoke to BBC Newsnight following the verdict in the defamation case.

Clémence Michallon reports:

Attorney Lisa Bloom says Amber Heard should appeal ‘inconsistent’ Johnny Depp verdict

Johnny Depp launches TikTok account amid push for comeback

Tuesday 7 June 2022 20:33 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp is now on TikTok.

The 58-year-old actor, who recently won a multimillion-dollar defamation case against his ex-wife, Amber Heard, joined the video-sharing app on Monday (6 June).

So far, Depp has amassed more than 800k followers on the verified TikTok account @JohnnyDepp.

Despite the large following, the Pirates of The Caribbean star is yet to post his first TikTok video.

Read more:

Johnny Depp launches TikTok account amid push for comeback

Voices: Depp and Heard won’t hear your view of the trial verdict – but the silent victims will

Tuesday 7 June 2022 20:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Jess Phillips writes:

Abused women are watching while all this goes on. They are learning that their silence is the safest option.

Depp and Heard won’t hear your opinions – but abuse victims will | Jess Phillips

Snoop Dogg weighs in on Depp v Heard trial

Tuesday 7 June 2022 19:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Snoop Dogg has said he prays that everyone can “learn to get along” following the verdicts in the defamation trial between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp.

The rapper said he had been “busy doing Snoop Dogg” and so did not keep up with the high-profile case, but hoped others could “be better, with or without each other”.

Press Association reports:

Snoop Dogg hopes ‘everyone can get learn to get along’ after Depp v Heard trial

Unlikely cult celebrities of the Depp v Heard trial

Tuesday 7 June 2022 19:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Fans of the estranged couple exhaustively documented Depp and Heard’s every move and mannerism in court, their attorneys’ arguments, the judge’s interventions and a wealth of colourful witness testimony on TikTok, Instagram and Twitter, carving up what might have amounted to dry legal proceedings into a spectator sport.

All of which has raised disapproving eyebrows in some quarters, with concerns expressed that the real issue at the heart of the case, domestic violence, was lost in what has become a bad taste viral soap opera.

While those criticisms are more than valid, there is no question that the trial provided an extraordinary spectacle and a cast of unforgettable supporting characters who found themselves unlikely cult celebrities.

Unlikely cult celebrities of Johnny Depp v Amber Heard, from lawyers to alpacas

Voices: Johnny Depp is dining out on his trial win in some truly distasteful ways

Tuesday 7 June 2022 18:47 , Oliver O'Connell

Opinion: Johnny Depp is dining out on his trial win in some truly distasteful ways

Trial wristbands on sale for $5,000 on eBay

Tuesday 7 June 2022 18:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Some spectators who attended the defamation trial between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard in Fairfax County, Virginia are now selling their paper wristbands online.

Sheriffs at the Fairfax County courthouse distributed wristbands as a crowd control measure at the highly publicised trial, which attracted a large number of vocal Depp fans in particular.

Several people who were admitted to the courthouse are now selling those disposable, colour-coded paper wristbands – stamped with their date of entry – on auction websites like eBay for as much as $5,000 (£4,000).

Amanda Whiting reports:

Depp vs Heard trial wristbands on sale for £4,000 on eBay

Trial stenographer denies ‘partying’ with Depp

Tuesday 7 June 2022 18:00 , Oliver O'Connell

The stenographer who chronicled Depp and Heard’s defamation trial has been dragged into a social media firestorm after footage of her hugging the Pirates actor went viral.

In the video, court reporter Judy Bellinger was seen embracing Depp after both sides presented closing arguments on 27 May.

Ms Bellinger was forced to defend herself after Heard supporters claimed the footage is proof of bias.

The Independent’s Gustaf Kilander reports:

Depp v Heard stenographer denies ‘partying’ with actor as critics accuse her of bias

Camille Vasquez promoted to partner after trial success

Tuesday 7 June 2022 17:45 , Oliver O'Connell

Camille Vasquez has been elevated to partner at her firm Brown Rudnick following the key role she played as a member of Johnny Depp’s legal team during the defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Ms Vasquez became one of several unexpected celebrities at the trial through her tough cross-examination of witnesses and frequent objections to defence counsel questions.

Johnny Depp lawyer Camille Vasquez promoted to partner after defamation trial success

Depp posts thank you message to fans

Tuesday 7 June 2022 17:35 , Oliver O'Connell

Johnny Depp has released a video message to fans pledging to “move forward,” after winning the high-profile defamation case against ex-wife Amber Heard.

Less than a week after the jury ruled in favour of the Pirates actor, Depp posted a video compilation of footage from his recent concerts.

Inga Parkel has the story:

Johnny Depp shares video message to fans pledging to ‘move forward’

Heard lawyer says ‘enormous amount of evidence was suppressed’ in trial

Tuesday 7 June 2022 17:30 , Oliver O'Connell

A lawyer representing Amber Heard in her defamation trial against Johnny Depp has spoken out following the verdict to say that “an enormous amount of evidence was suppressed” during the weeks-long trial.

Attorney Elaine Bredehoft appeared on The Today Show on Thursday morning, hours after a jury determined Ms Heard defamed Mr Depp on all three counts in his lawsuit against her regarding a 2018 op-ed she wrote in the Washington Post about being a victim of domestic abuse.

The jury also found in favour of one of three claims in Ms Heard’s countersuit, determining that Mr Depp’s lawyer had called her abuse allegations against her ex-husband a hoax.

Megan Sheets reports:

Amber Heard lawyer says ‘enormous amount of evidence suppressed’ in Johnny Depp trial

Heard ‘unable to pay’ the millions in damages

Tuesday 7 June 2022 17:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Amber Heard’s lawyer says that her client will be unable to pay the millions in damages she must hand over to Johnny Depp after a jury determined she defamed her ex-husband in the weeks-long trial.

Speaking one day after the verdict was delivered, attorney Elaine Bredehoft told Savannah Guthri while appearing on NBC’s The Today Show that her client is “absolutely not” able to pay the $8.35m in damages that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor won after a jury deliberated for three days following the closely followed, and widely panned, trial.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

Amber Heard can’t pay $8.35m damages to Johnny Depp, says lawyer. What happens next?

How much do Depp and Amber Heard owe each other?

Tuesday 7 June 2022 16:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Depp prevailed in his $50m (£40m) defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard over accusations of domestic abuse last week.

A seven-person civil jury in Virginia found that Ms Heard defamed the Pirates of the Caribbean and Fantastic Beasts star when she implied he abused her in a 2018 op-ed for The Washington Post.

The jury also upheld one of Ms Heard’s three claims in a $100m countersuit against Mr Depp and his lawyer, who had called her original allegations in 2016 an “ambush” and “a hoax”.

Neither side got the full amount they wanted.

Io Dodds reports:

How much do Johnny Depp and Amber Heard owe each other?

Depp lawyer promoted to partner

Tuesday 7 June 2022 16:12 , Oliver O'Connell

Camille Vasquez has been elevated to partner at her firm Brown Rudnick following her key role as a member of Johnny Depp’s legal team during the defamation trial against Amber Heard.

Ms Vasquez became an unexpected celebrity at the trial due to her tough cross-examination of witnesses and frequent objections to defence counsel questions.

“We are delighted to welcome Camille to the partnership,” said William Baldiga, chairman and CEO of Brown Rudnick. “Historically, we have reserved this announcement for the end of our fiscal year. But Camille’s performance during the Johnny Depp trial proved to the world that she was ready to take this next step now. We are incredibly proud of her and look forward to what she will accomplish as our newest partner.”

Ms Vasquez stated: “I am delighted that Brown Rudnick has given me its full vote of confidence by having me join the partnership. I’m proud of the uniquely talented team I’ve had the privilege to lead, which exemplified teamwork and collaboration, and I look forward to continuing to represent Brown Rudnick’s culture of excellence.”

Heard’s sister breaks her silence following verdict

Tuesday 7 June 2022 16:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Heard’s sister Whitney Henriquez took to Instagram on Sunday to say she is “proud” of the Aquaman actor despite last week’s verdict.

“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,” wrote Henriquez, who had testified during the trial.

“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.”

The Independent’s Annabel Nugent reports:

Amber Heard’s sister breaks silence after verdict

Heard’s options to appeal: Evidentiary issues

Tuesday 7 June 2022 15:30 , Oliver O'Connell

Speaking to Clémence Michallon about appeal options, Jesse Weber, a host and attorney at the Law & Crime network, pointed to statements made by Heard attorney Elaine Bredehoft in interviews after the trial in seeking to outline possible strategies for Ms Heard’s legal team.

“The arguments on appeal are focused on what Heard believes are incorrect legal rulings by the judge. That is why making objections and motions during the course of the trial is so important to preserve these issues for appeal,” he said.

“Based on Elaine Bredehoft’s comments after the verdict, it seems they will be focusing on evidence that was ‘suppressed’ at trial, such as medical records, and perhaps arguing prejudicial evidence from [Mr Depp] was allowed to be introduced. It also seems [Ms Heard’s team] took issue with the fact that the UK ruling, where a judge found multiple instances of abuse by [Mr Depp], could not be presented to the jury.”

Mr Depp sued The Sun’s publishing company in 2018 over a headline which had called him a “wife beater”. A judge ruled against him in the UK case in 2020.

Ms Heard’s attorneys “could also argue there were problems with the jury instructions/jury form,” Mr Weber added.

Celebrities inundated by Johnny Depp fans after showing support for Amber Heard

Tuesday 7 June 2022 15:15 , Oliver O'Connell

Celebrities who have appeared to show support for Amber Heard are being bombarded with comments from Johnny Depp’s fanbase on social media.

Among those targetted online are actors Mia Farrow and Edward Norton.

Ed Norton and Mia Farrow inundated by Johnny Depp fans over Amber Heard support

Depp and Jeff Beck splash out $60k on Indian dinner

Tuesday 7 June 2022 15:00 , Oliver O'Connell

Depp and Jeff Beck racked up a massive bill at an Indian restaurant in Birmingham, following the actor’s defamation trial win.

Depp has been in the UK performing concerts with musician Beck, even missing the final day of the trial for a show, when the jury announced the verdict on 1 June. The two recently announced they will be releasing a new album next month.

On Sunday (5 June), the pair closed Varanasi restaurant to the public, as they were reportedly joined by 20 other friends to share a meal.

According to TMZ, the eatery’s Operations Director Mohammed Hussain said Depp’s final bill was around £50,000 ($60,000) in total.

In an Instagram post, the restaurant shared a few photos, along with a caption that read: “The most talked about person on the planet right now joined us for dinner last night!”

The Independent’s Inga Parkel reports:

Johnny Depp and Jeff Beck rack up £50k bill at Indian restaurant in Birmingham

Will Johnny Depp return to Pirates franchise after winning defamation trial?

Tuesday 7 June 2022 14:30 , Megan Sheets

In late 2019, it was announced that Disney would be moving forward in developing a script for a Pirates of the Caribbean reboot.

At the time, it hadn’t formally been announced whether Johnny Depp would be attached to the new project.

Here’s what we know about the future of the franchise:

Will Johnny Depp return to Pirates franchise after winning defamation trial?

Heard ‘unable to pay’ the millions in damages

Tuesday 7 June 2022 13:30 , Megan Sheets

Heard’s lawyer has said that her client will be unable to pay the millions in damages she must hand over to Depp after a jury determined she defamed her ex-husband in the weeks-long trial.

Speaking one day after the verdict was delivered, attorney Elaine Bredehoft told Savannah Guthri while appearing on NBC’s The Today Show that her client is “absolutely not” able to pay the $8.35m in damages that the Pirates of the Caribbean actor won after a jury deliberated for three days following the closely followed, and widely panned, trial.

Johanna Chisholm reports:

Amber Heard can’t pay $8.35m damages to Johnny Depp, says lawyer. What happens next?