Aquaman actress Amber Heard lost a bid for a new trial in her defamation case brought by ex-husband Johnny Depp on Wednesday, when a judge rejected her lawyers' argument that one of the jurors had served improperly.
In June, Heard was ordered to pay Depp $10.35 million in damages after a jury in Fairfax County, Virginia, ruled she had defamed the Pirates of the Caribbean star in a newspaper opinion piece.
Her lawyers had asked the judge in the case to throw out the decision and declare a mistrial, arguing that one of the jurors in the case had not been eligible to serve because his summons was intended for his father, who had the same name and lived at the same address.
Judge Penny Azcarate ruled that there was “no evidence of fraud or wrongdoing” by the juror and that the jury's verdict should stand.
She also noted that both sides had questioned and accepted all jurors at the start of the trial.
“Due process was guaranteed and provided to all parties in this litigation,” Ms Azcarate wrote.
Depp had sued Heard for defamation after she called herself “a public figure representing domestic abuse” in an opinion piece published in The Washington Post.
Depp denied abusing Heard and said she was the one who had turned violent in their relationship.
Heard countersued, saying Depp had smeared her when his lawyer called her accusations a “hoax”.
The jury awarded Heard $2m in damages on one of her counterclaims.
Heard said she only struck Depp in defence of herself or her sister.
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Amber Heard hugs her lawyer, Elaine Bredehoft, after the jury found her liable for defamation against her ex-husband, Johnny Depp on June 1, 2022. Pool / EPA -
Johnny Depp's lawyers Camille Vasquez and Ben Chew arrive to give a statement to the media outside the Fairfax County Courthouse after the jury found Heard liable for defamation. AP -
Fans of Depp react to the verdict outside the Fairfax County Circuit Courthouse. EPA -
Supporters Depp and supporters of Heard stand outside the courthouse during the trial. EPA -
Amber Heard said her sister, Whitney Henriquez, got into a physical altercation with Johnny Depp. AP -
Heard described several instances where she alleged Depp physically abused her – some of her testimony turning extremely graphic. AFP -
Travis McGivern, a security guard for Depp, detailed a number of volatile arguments between Depp and Heard. EPA -
A fan of Johnny Depp waits outside the courthouse in Fairfax, Virginia. AFP -
Depp fans cheer outside the courthouse. Reuters -
Clinical and forensic psychologist Shannon Curry testifies on behalf of Depp, saying Heard suffers from borderline personality disorder and histrionic personality disorder. She made the diagnosis after reviewing her medical records and speaking with her over 12 hours. EPA -
Forensic psychologist Dawn Hughes said Heard suffered from PTSD due to the violence she allegedly experienced at Depp's hand. AP -
Depp denied ever having struck Heard but admitted he has struggled with alcohol and drug use. EPA -
Heard became emotional when giving details of alleged past abuse. AFP -
Christi Dembrowski, Depp's older sister, said Heard had been verbally abusive towards him. AFP -
Raquel Pennington, a friend of Heard, becomes emotional as a picture of Heard is seen on screen as evidence of alleged abuse. EPA -
Kate Moss, a former girlfriend of Depp, said he did not push her down the stairs. EPA -
A 'Pirates of the Caribbean'-themed vehicle sits in front of the courthouse. EPA -
Depp's lawyer Camille Vasquez grilled Heard when she took the stand, often interrupting her. AFP -
Fans cheer as Depp arrives at the courthouse. Hundreds of people queued overnight just to nab a seat in the courtroom. AFP
