Johnny Depp’s legal battle with ex-wifeAmber Heardis not completely over just yet. After the former couple’s defamation trial concluded with a jury siding heavily in Depp’s favor, Heard’s lawyers stated their intentions to file an appeal. Before the filing, Heard had first sought to have the verdict tossed or for a retrial to be granted after alleging that one of the jurors had been fraudulent. The judge disagreed, arguing that there was no legal merit for a retrial and that the verdict stands.
PerTMZ, it has now been reported that Team Heard has now officially filed the paperwork for an appeal. The Aquaman star’s lawyers have formally filed the appeal documentation on Thursday. As one of her attorneys had previously suggested that Heard did not have the money needed for an appeal, it was unclear if the appeal would actually be filed. As with the request for a retrial, the appeal is now up to the court to decide if the verdict should ultimately be nixed.
At the end of the Depp v Heard trial, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $15 million in damages after she was found responsible for defaming him on all three counts of alleged defamation. That amount was later reduced to $10.35 million due to Virginia law. Depp was also found liable for one of three counts of defamation based on comments his previous attorney had publicly made about Heard; he was ordered to pay $2 million. This puts Heard on the hook for $8.35 million owed to Depp.
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Johnny Depp Has Seemingly Already Moved On
In the time since the trial, Johnny Depp has been back to performing on stage alongside his musician pal Jeff Beck. The pair just released a new album earlier this month. Depp has also announced a new tour for next summer in Europe with his supergroup, the Hollywood Vampires. He’s also playing King Louis XV in the upcoming French filmLa Favorite, so he’s back to starring in leading roles in new movies as well. The actor does not seem worried about Heard’s attempts to have the verdict tossed.
“The jury listened to the extensive evidence presented during the six-week trial and came to a clear and unanimous verdict that the defendant herself defamed Mr. Depp in multiple instances,” a statement from Team Depp read after Heard’s lawyers filed for the verdict to be dismissed. “We remain confident in our case and that this verdict will stand.”
Meanwhile, Depp has been clearing up other legal problems for a separate incident. The actor had gotten sued by a crew member who worked with Depp on the set of the filmCity of Liesin 2017. It was alleged that Depp had physically assaulted the man, though others on the set were disputing that story. It was expected to be heard in court this month, but ahead of the trial,Depp had reportedly reached settlement terms, though the details of that deal have not been publicly disclosed.
