Depp wins defamation lawsuit against ex-wife and issues statement to celebrate: My life is back

Johnny Depp's defamation case against his ex-wife Amber Heard was sentenced in a Fairfax, Virginia court on Wednesday. The jury found that Heard's newspaper article constituted defamation of Depp. Depp will receive $10 million in compensatory damages plus $5 million in punitive damages - but the judge reduced the punitive damages to $350,000 based on the cap set by state law.

Because Heard filed a counterclaim against Depp, the jury also supported one of the three claims made by Heard, that the statement made by Depp's former lawyer Waldman constituted defamation of Heard, and Heard will receive $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages.

Both parties issued statements regarding the result. Depp said, "This ruling gives me my life back," while Heard said, "I am very disappointed."

Depp said: "Six years ago, my life, the lives of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and the lives of those who have supported and believed in me over the years, were changed forever. False and serious criminal charges were placed on me through the media, sparking a fierce and intensive hatred that has had a huge impact on my life and career."

"Six years later, a jury has given me a new lease on life, and I'm so happy... From the beginning, my goal in this lawsuit was to uncover the truth. I owe it to my children and the people who stood by me. Now that I've done it, I feel at peace. I hope my journey to find the truth will help others, men and women, people in similar situations to me, and those who support them, to never give up. I hope to return to the situation of 'presumed innocent', whether in court or in media reports. The truth will never be extinguished."

Hilde said: "I can't describe the disappointment in my heart now. I am heartbroken. The piles of evidence still cannot confront the enormous power, influence and influence of my ex-husband. I am even more disappointed about what this verdict means to other women. This is a step backwards. It takes time back to the era when women who speak out may be publicly humiliated. It takes time back to the idea that violence against women will be taken seriously."

"I believe Johnny's lawyers succeeded in getting the jury to ignore the importance of free speech and the decisive evidence that led to our victory in the UK. I am sad to have lost this case, but I am even sadder that I appear to have lost one of my rights as an American - to speak freely and openly."