AP
AndRule Johnny Depp and Amber HeardAnd if any one party in the defamation lawsuit is liable for millions of damages, it is in the hands of the Virginia jury.
The seven jurors overseeing the Fairfax investigation will decide on Heard, 36. Def, 58, slanderedWhen he wrote a comment Washington Post In 2018, he defined himself as “a public figure who represents domestic abuse.”
The jury will also have to decide whether he should be compensated in the millions.
“The arbitral tribunal is going to determine the damages for both the case and the counter-claim,” they said Mail Close sources for Heard’s legal team.
“If the jury finds that Mr. Amber is responsible for Mr. Depp, they will award compensation if they find that Mr. Debb is responsible. Amber opposite caseDetermining damage.
Actress of ‘Son of the OceanHaving been married to Depp once and married for 15 months, he has not faced any criminal charges and is not at risk of going to jail without facing only civil cases.
ActorCaribbean island pirates‘Presented by a $ 50 million defamation suit against HartIt cost him millions when he wrote the newspaper Op-Ed, claiming it had damaged his reputation and career.
Depp’s name was not mentioned in the article, but his lawyers argue that he still defamed him because he clearly mentioned the domestic abuse allegations he made when his ex-wife filed for divorce in 2016 and obtained a temporary restraining order against him.
Depp denies hurting Hearth physically, and said so She was abusive in their relationship. Hert, for his part, has accused Depp of beating himself dozens of times.
Then the actress presented one $ 100 million defamation suitDepp claims to be executing a “Smear Campaign” Destroy your life.
The couple has been facing arbitration in Fairfax County Court for four weeks. The trial is currently adjourned for a week.
The final arguments are set for May 27, and the arbitral tribunal may soon begin discussing the fate of the divorced couple.
The arbitral tribunal shall not be compelled by either party and shall have the opportunity to decide Neither Depp nor Heard should be compensated for the damageA source close to Heard’s legal team said.
Debbie’s spokesman confirmed: “The arbitral tribunal will determine the damages and no compensation will be awarded.”
If the jury does not consider Heard to respond to Depp’s case, She is entitled to recover the cost of the legal fee from Debbie. Sources said the amount would be decided by a judge later.
But If Deb is successfulCan cause a “cooling effect” Prevent other alleged victims from coming forwardHalim Tanidina, a former California judge and current criminal defense attorney, said.
“Every time a defamation suit wins, there is a thrilling effect on the speech,” Tanidina said.
“There is always a deterrent to victims coming forward and speaking out against companies or institutions or people in power because they think their world is going to collapse,” he continued.
Hypothetical success also translates to a Significant monetary judgment was rendered to Depp“It simply came to our notice then Those who think twice before releasing statements If these make them legally responsible, “said Danidina.
On the other hand, “We do not want to create a world where people think they can say whatever they want even if they know it is not true.Said the former judge.
“Whatever the sentence, the verdict will have a cool effect one way or another,” Tanidina said.
