Ever since the London libel trial of July 2020, the Hollywood actor, Johnny Depp has not looked back on his career or reputation. His profession turned into a luxury he could not afford, and the world that once was his fan tuned out of the contributions and the years he spent serving and building up a reputed career in the entertainment industry. A husband who was domestically violent and an abuser were the only identities that his name would be associated with all around the globe.
Also read: “They’re Coming For You”: Fans Want Camille Vasquez to Sue The Sun For Calling Depp “Wife Beater”
Now, with the US court reversing the tables on the judgment and finding Depp acquitted of most claims, how much normalcy has returned to the life of the actor?
The Chronology of Depp’s Court Judgments
The Sun had called him a “wife-beater” and Mr. Justice Nicol found enough substantial truth in Amber Heard’s claim to find that 12 out of 14 alleged incidents of domestic violence had occurred. Fantastic Beasts and Pirates of the Caribbean dropped him in a blink, and Dior stuck by him and was consequently boycotted globally.
Depp’s lawyers had called the ruling “perverse” and wanted to appeal but Ms. Elaine Bredehoft, Heard’s lawyer claimed, “Very soon, we will be presenting even more voluminous evidence in the US.”
Also read: Psychiatrist David Spiegel Says Testifying For Amber Heard Was Career Suicide, Closes WebMD Page
After the six-week trial filled with testimonies and evidence, the Fairfax Circuit County Courthouse in Virginia found Depp not completely guilty of the charges levied against him and hence justified in filing a defamation lawsuit. The court awarded him $10.35 million in punitive damages and compensation.
About his client, Mr. Chew said, “We had the ultimate confidence in Johnny, the jury, and the facts of the case. […] Johnny owned his issues, he was very candid about his alcohol and drug issues, and he was candid about some unfortunate texts that he wrote. I think it was in sharp contrast to Miss Heard who didn’t seem or at least the jury may have perceived that she didn’t take accountability for anything. We feel very confident that there are no errors that would justify any kind of successful appeal”
Also read: Amber Heard Lawyer Blames Cameras, Social Media For Losing To Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp in the Aftermath of the Trial
The judgment of the court was only one side of the coin. Depp came out of that courthouse, not just a winner but loved and lauded by the public. The world has been divided ever since about whether the verdict sets precedence for men to come forward after being abused or will those in power always win over the ones without.
However, the personal life of Johnny Depp has been impacted monumentally. His lawyer, Camille Vasquez revealed in an interview with TODAY that a friend of Depp’s relayed to her that he hadn’t seen Johnny smile like that in six years.
Benjamin Chew declared, “The weight of the world is off of his shoulder. He’s got his life back.”
Related article: “Women’s Rights Moving Backwards”: Amber Heard Hits Back at Johnny Depp TikTok Video After Trial Loss
