DUBAI: US actor Johnny Depp’s supporters flooded social media overnight to congratulate the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star on winning the defamation case against his ex-wife actress Amber Heard.
On Wednesday, a jury sided with Depp in his libel lawsuit awarding him more than $10 million and vindicating his allegations that Heard lied about Depp abusing her before and during their brief marriage.
But in a split decision, the jury also found that Heard was defamed by one of Depp’s lawyers, who accused her of creating a detailed hoax that included roughing up the couple’s apartment to look worse for police. The jury awarded her $2 million.
On twitter, Depp’s fans expressed their excitement about the verdict, writing messages to the US star.
“Just take deep breath, everyone now knows the truth,” wrote one Arab user to Depp, while another said: “You were told to tell the world and see who believes you. You told the world, and we believe you.”
“The truth comes out even if it is after years. Not only did he win the case, but we all did,” joked another fan in Arabic.
The supporters also created a number of memes to show their support for Depp. One user tweeted a video from a Saudi skit of men dancing and wrote: “Johnny finally won.”
The verdicts bring an end to a televised trial that Depp had hoped would help restore his reputation, though it turned into a spectacle that offered a window into a vicious marriage.
Heard, who was stoic in the courtroom as the verdict was read, said on Instagram that she was heartbroken.
“I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women. It’s a setback. It sets back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke out could be publicly humiliated. It sets back the idea that violence against women is to be taken seriously,’’ she said after the verdict.
Depp, who was not in court Wednesday, said “the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled.”
“I hope that my quest to have the truth be told will have helped others, men or women, who have found themselves in my situation, and that those supporting them never give up,” he said in a statement posted to Instagram.
The jury found Depp should receive $10 million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, but the judge said state law caps punitive damages at $350,000, meaning Depp was awarded $10.35 million.
- With AP
