Amber Heard settles defamation case against Johnny Depp

 The settlement follows a monthslong broadcast preliminary that finished with members of the jury finding that Heard had maligned Depp by composing a 2018 commentary for the Washington Post.

                                                                                       Amber Heard and Johnny Depp

Golden Heard has settled her slander body of evidence against ex Johnny Depp, she declared in an Instagram post on Monday.

Heard, 36, called the choice to settle with Depp, 59, “undeniably challenging” adding that it followed “a lot of consideration.”

“I should say that I never picked this. I guarded my reality and in doing so my life as an I realized it was obliterated. The denunciation I have looked via online entertainment is an enhanced form of the manners by which ladies are re-defrauded when they approach,” Heard composed.

She portrayed the settlement as “a chance to free myself from something I endeavored to leave a long time back and based on conditions I can consent to.”

“I have made no confirmation. This isn’t a demonstration of concession. There are no limitations or gags concerning my voice pushing ahead,” she added.

A look at current events on September 29, 2022, the day after news broke about what was dubbed “a historic” deal between Jennifer Lawrence and Depp.

The settlement involves a lawsuit brought by Heard, a former actress, who sued the actor late last year to recoup her damages for defamatory allegations she made in the years before the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. The settlement has been sealed through the court system. Heard reportedly agreed to pay $10 million.

The defamation suit claims that Heard said in an October 2018 op-ed that Depp had used his role as King Richard III to sexually assault Heard. She was also accused of calling him a rapist and saying he forced himself on her during sexual encounters.

Heard is now suing Depp for up to $5 million in compensatory damages and $3 million in punitive damages, which will go toward attorneys’ fees, though it’s unclear whether Heard wants to get close to those numbers. In addition to the money Heard is seeking, she wants the case against Depp dismissed.

“I’m pleased this matter is moving forward to its conclusion, but I am heartbroken that it took so long,” Heard’s lawyer Gloria Allred said according to Deadline.

Depp did not respond publicly to the claim on Friday.

In 2017, Variety reported that Heard filed a defamation lawsuit against Depp via private detective Mark Wahlberg, alleging the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star sexually assaulted her during an incident at a hotel in Paris in 2003. He denied the allegations, and then she sued him for libel. However, earlier this month, Heard was dropped from Depp’s legal team. According to Page Six, Wahlberg, formerly one of Depp’s attorneys, was “told by two people familiar with the situation that he no longer represents Ms. Heard,” and is preparing another appeal of Wahlberg’s dismissal as well.

Lawyers for both sides of the lawsuit were unavailable for comment following the story. It was revealed in March that a judge had ruled there were no other legal issues with the lawsuit and that it had essentially settled, meaning it would be thrown out entirely and Heard was free to move on.

The settlement follows a monthlong broadcast preliminary that ended with lawyers representing Heard coming forward with new information for the public to see in May. Lawyers for Depp claimed during the trial that they had seen evidence suggesting Heard had defamed them before the initial publication of their allegation, and said such accusations are not protected by First Amendment rights. Both sides agreed upon the fact that Heard must repay any monetary losses.

Sources tell Rolling Stone that “Law firms have to submit detailed reports to the court before taking a position on things like settlements,” although it appears law firms were more reticent to do so than prosecutors because of possible liability. The website alleges that one reason behind these delays is litigation costs and the ability to settle without going through with the proceedings.

The article goes on to note that while Depp’s agents have stated previously that they want to avoid defending themselves against future lawsuits related to Heard’s conduct in connection with allegations that he raped Amber Heard in 2018. Depp has also stated that he does not believe Heard is entitled to any award of damages as she seeks “only the truth.”

However, both sides were asked by the judge how much Heard was willing to give up for having their reputation vindicated, and how much of it they would like to keep. While the judge said she was trying to figure out if anything left to share, the jury was told she would receive “at least $10 million in financial compensation with interest and all additional compensatory and punitive damages.”