Johnny Depp’s win against Amber Heard sparks concerns for domestic abuse victims. Here’s why
The verdict in Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation case is out. The jury found both Depp and Heard liable. However, they favored the former who was awarded $15 million in damages while Amber Heard was awarded $2 million. While the jury of the Virginia court found Amber Heard’s article defamatory towards Johnny Depp, it also determined that Heard had been defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, who reportedly admitted she had created a detailed hoax that included roughing up the couple’s apartment to look worse in the eyes of the police. Hence, Amber Heard too got $2million.
Over the course of the six-week trial, memes and reels on Amber Heard’s testimonies about the alleged physical and sexual abuse she suffered in the relationship went viral, fans rallied in support of Depp and Heard was mercilessly trolled. The public sentiment over the trial has also sparked concerns for domestic abuse victims as there’s fear that women’s testimonies will be mocked and not believed by a jury now. The reactions to the trial’s verdict are divided, to say the least.
Today, #TruthWins trended on Twitter after Johnny Depp released a statement in which he said, “Truth never perishes”. At the same time, netizens are criticizing the outpouring of support for Depp amidst backlash for Heard. The trial has far-reaching repercussions.
A Twitter user wrote, “So the jury found that Heard was telling the truth when she said directly that Depp abused her but that she defamed him by implying that he abused her, do I have that right?”
Here’s what netizens are saying:
So the jury found that Heard was telling the truth when she said directly that Depp abused her but that she defamed him by implying that he abused her, do I have that right?
— Jonathan M. Katz (@KatzOnEarth) June 1, 2022
this verdict is going to set women, the me too movement and all abuse victims back so far it’s actually unbelievable
— bethany (@fiImgal) June 1, 2022
Precedent is now set in the US that even if you don’t name your abuser in a piece of writing and have evidence of abuse, you can be sued for defamation and lose
— alicia (@nerdjpg) June 1, 2022
Amber Heard had pictures of the abuse, audio tapes where Johnny Depp admits abusing her, medical records, text messages of him apologizing to her for his ugly behaviour, but it was not enough. I am utterly disgusted by this world. People never learn. #IStandWithAmberHeard
— best of amber heard (@artsaheard) June 1, 2022
Meanwhile, Johnny Depp fans are rejoicing. A fan wrote, “He won in the court of public opinion. He won in the court of law. Justice has been served and now he can finally have his name and reputation back.”
He won in the court of public opinion. He won in the court of law. Justice has been served and now he can finally have his name and reputation back. #JusticeForJohhnyDepp #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeard #IStandWithJohnnyDepp #JohnnyDeppVsAmberHeardTrial #TruthWins pic.twitter.com/KxD48IKPag
— Sophie L (@SophieLents) June 1, 2022
june 1st 2022, after 6 years johnny won, he did it. he told the world his story and the world believed him. we are all beyond proud of you johnny #JusticeForJohnnyDepp #TruthWins pic.twitter.com/7hwuumxPhz
— eva (@stoneyeilish) June 1, 2022
Johnny Depp had sued Amber Heard for $50 million after she alleged that she was the victim of domestic abuse in her 2018 op-ed in the Washington Post although Depp was not named in the article. The actor maintained that he lost out on roles including an upcoming Pirates movie and the Fantastic Beasts franchise, due to Heard’s. Amber Heard had countersued him for $100 million.
