A Virginia jury has ruled in favour of both actress Amber Heard and actor Johnny Depp, finding that both parties defamed each other.
On Wednesday, June 1, the jury ruled in favour of the Pirates of the Caribbean actor in his libel lawsuit against ex-wife Amber Heard, vindicating his stance that Heard fabricated claims that she was abused by Depp before and during their brief marriage.
The jury also found in favour of Heard, who said she was defamed by Depp’s lawyer when he called her abuse allegations a hoax.
Jury members found Depp should be awarded USD $10.35 million in damages, while Heard should receive USD $2 million.
The civil suit was a hotly-debated topic on social media since it commenced on April 11. In fact, the high-profile relationship has been under the international microscope for years, with allegations of abuse coming from both parties (which in turn led to the defamation case).
Depp denied he ever struck Heard, and said she was the abuser in the relationship. Heard testified about more than a dozen separate instances of physical abuse she says she suffered at Depp’s hands.
While the trial was heard thousands of kilometres away, many locals watched it all unfold. Metro Vancouverites have shared a wide range of opinions about the highly-publicized Hollywood trial, with many of them rejoicing in what they regard as Depp's victory.
Johnny Depp Amber Heard verdict: Male domestic violence
But other locals say the trial was much more than a popularity contest, pointing to the seriousness of domestic violence and that men are assaulted by women, too.
One Metro Vancouverite tweeted: "Johnny Depp today advanced forward every male DV victim being believed more. Amber Heard did just as much damage to female victims. Disappointing #MenToo had to be at the cost of #MeToo."
Of course, some people find it disturbing that the general public claimed to know the facts of the trial based on speculation. One Metro Vancouver woman remarks that people who are "proudly declaring Johnny Depp's innocence" and swooning over him act like "groupie-cultists."
Many individuals commented on the absurdity of people treating the trial like a "full TV show." Other locals simply remarked that both parties were guilty.
With files from the Associated Press.
