When Will Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s Defamation Case Be Over?
3 min read
(Photo by Steve Helber / POOL / AFP) (Photo by STEVE HELBER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
After a 10-day break, the defamation trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard starts today. Many fans are already wondering when the verdict will be released.
Johnny Depp is suing Heard for $50 million for her op-ed in the Washington Post in 2018. She referred to herself as a public figure symbolizing domestic abuse. He argues the inference harmed his ability to work, despite the fact that she didn’t name him. Heard has responded with a $100 million countersuit against Depp.
The trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard came to a halt last week after four weeks of testimony, but it is slated to continue today (Monday 16th May). On the witness stand, Heard will continue her story, followed by others picked to testify for her.
When will the verdict in the Johnny Depp and Amber Heard case be announced?
The trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard is likely to conclude after May 27th, thus the verdict will be announced then. Given the volume of evidence that has been presented thus far, and will continue to be presented during the trial, it is unclear how long the jury will deliberate on Depp’s defamation charges.
Judge Azcarate has informed the seven jurors that jury deliberations will begin as soon as closing arguments are completed on May 27th.
Heard’s side will finish presenting their defense before Depp’s team has the opportunity to respond.
The trial was expected to conclude sooner, but Judge Azcarate indicated at the opening of proceedings on April 11th that her schedule conflicted with another event, and that the trial would be postponed for one week.
If Johnny wins, what happens to Amber?
If Johnny Depp wins the defamation action, Amber Heard, who filed for divorce from Depp in 2016, will be obliged to pay him a large sum of money (and visa-versa). They’re not facing any criminal charges because these are civil claims, so they’re not facing any jail time.
“The jury will evaluate damages for both the claim and the counterclaim,” sources close to Heard’s legal team told The New York Post. If the jury finds Amber accountable for Mr. Depp, damages are determined; if the jury finds Mr. Depp liable for Amber’s counterclaims, damages are determined.”
However, a source close to Heard’s legal team told the New York Post that the jury could be unconvinced by either side and decide that neither Depp nor Heard should be granted damages.
“Jury judges damages,” a Depp spokeswoman stated, “and certainly, it is possible that no damages are granted.”
Meanwhile, if the jury in Depp’s case does not find Heard guilty, she will be able to reclaim her legal bills from Depp. According to the sources, the sum would be established by a judge at a later date.
Some fear that if Depp wins, it would dissuade future alleged domestic violence victims from coming forward, according to criminal defence attorney and former California judge Halim Dhanidina.
Is the trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard being streamed live?
Yes, the trial of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard may be watched live on Court TV’s website and YouTube page. Several venues, including The Independent’s YouTube channel and the Law & Crime Network’s YouTube channel and website, are airing the trial on a daily basis. Sky News, on the other hand, is streaming the trial on its YouTube channel.
A number of high-profile witnesses were anticipated to testify, although some, such as Elon Musk, are no longer required to do so.
Ankita Khanrah
Ankita Khanrah is a second-year student of the Master of Communication and Journalism (Integrated) programme at the School of Mass Communication, KIIT Deemed University, Bhubaneswar.
