What Happens if Johnny Depp Loses his Case Against Amber Heard?
The jurors in the civil case between Johnny Depp and Amber Heard have a three-day recess for the Memorial Day holiday weekend. They are expected to continue deliberations on Tuesday.
The trial has been gripping public attention and could prove a significant precedent for domestic abuse victims. It could be a few more days until the jury returns a final verdict, but what could it mean for Depp if his defamation lawsuit is rejected?
Depp is suing Heard for $50 million. He says that she cost him money by writing an article in The Washington Post. In the article, Heard said she was a public figure who represented domestic abuse. Depp’s team claims that because of the article, he lost a lot of money.
If the jury dismisses his civil claim, he will not receive the lucrative payday and Heard will not be ordered to pay his legal fees.
It is possible that the jury could find that Depp deserves some money for losing income, but the $50 million figure is too high. If this happens, he could be awarded a smaller sum.
More legal wrangling could be on the way after a Depp defeat
Even if Depp loses the civil case in Fairfax, Virginia, he could still choose to appeal the decision. However, it is difficult to see how this could be effective unless any significant new evidence or testimony emerges post-trial.
It is more likely that Heard will sue Depp for taking the matter to court. In fact, Heard has already lodged a $100 million counter suit against her ex-husband alleging that he defamed her in the course of his suit. Depp’s legal team described the claims as “fake” and a “sexual violence hoax”.
The jury in Heard’s counter-claim could also decide that the figure of $100 million is not justified and award her a smaller, or even larger, amount of compensation.
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