Elaine Charlson Bredehoft, Amber Heard’s lawyer, appeared on NBC’s ‘Today’ show this Thursday morning and revealed that her client’s battle with Johnny Depp is not over yet, as the actress not only wants appeal the jury’s decision in Depp’s favor, but also “has excellent reason to do so.”
In the interview, Bredehoft blamed a number of factors for Heard’s loss, citing evidentiary decisions and the influence of social media.
“She was demonized here. Several things were allowed in this courtroom that shouldn’t have been allowed, and it caused confusion for the jury,” he said.
The jury’s verdict, which found both parties liable, was reached this June 1 in a Virginia court after the panel spent three days deliberating over six weeks of grueling, emotional and highly contradictory testimony in a case centered on a Washington Post op-ed written by Amber.
Depp was awarded $ million in compensatory damages and $5 million in punitive damages, as the jury found that Heard’s statements were false and made with “actual malice” against her ex-husband.
Although Johnny was also found liable for defamation against Amber when one of her lawyers claimed her sexual abuse allegations were a “hoax”; she was awarded $2 million in compensatory damages and no punitive damages.
In a later statement, which she did not mention informed appeal, the ‘Aquaman’ star expressed her disappointment: “I’m even more disappointed with what this verdict means for other women”.
“It’s a setback. It turns back the clock to a time when a woman who spoke up and spoke up could be publicly shamed and humiliated. It pushes back the idea that violence against women should be taken seriously,” she assured.
And yes, Amber Heard could still choose to file an appeal against the decision. However, it is difficult to see how this could be effective unless significant new evidence or testimony emerges after trial.