Jury overlooked the issue of Freedom of Speech: Amber Heard

After a six-week defamation trial, the jury finally decided  that Amber Heard defamed Johnny Depp. In his defamation lawsuit, Depp was awarded $10.35 million in total damages, while Heard was awarded $2 million in her counterclaim, reports New York Post.

“The disappointment I feel today is beyond words,” Heard’s team told The Post in a statement. “I’m heartbroken that the mountain of evidence still was not enough to stand up to the disproportionate power, influence and sway of my ex-husband.”

“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It is a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously,” said Heard.

She continued saying, “I believe Johnny’s attorneys succeeded in getting the jury to overlook the key issue of Freedom of Speech and ignore evidence that was so conclusive that we won in the UK. I’m sad I lost this case.”

“But I am sadder still that I seem to have lost a right I thought I had as an American — to speak freely and openly,” Heard concluded.

Depp, 58, sued his ex-wife Heard for $50 million after she penned a Washington Post op-ed claiming an ex abused her.

Following the verdict announcement, Depp released a lengthy statement of gratitude, saying he was “humbled” by the jury’s decision.