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The jury was “confused” following their decision to support Johnny Depp in the defamation case docketed by his ex-wife, lawyer for Amber Heard said.
After the hearings, the members of the jury voted that both the parties were guilty of defamation. However, more damages were awarded to Depp, which caused Heard’s lawyer to react.
Amber Heard’s lawyer Elaine Charlson Bredehoft said in an interview, “That’s because she was demonized here. A number of things were allowed in this court that should not have been allowed, and it caused the jury to be confused.”
In a separate interview, Bredehoft explained that the jury might have ruled in favor of Depp because he had “wealth, power, and fame.”
“I think that made a huge difference in this case. But it also said we’re not going to believe women even when they have photos,” the lawyer said. “Basically, unless she had pulled out her phone, her iPhone and videotaped him as he was beating her, she’s not going to be believed, it didn’t happen.”
Johnny Depp has also spoken about the matter and said in a statement, “From the very beginning, the goal of bringing this case was to reveal the truth, regardless of the outcome. Speaking the truth was something that I owed to my children and to all those who have remained steadfast in their support of me. I feel at peace knowing I have finally accomplished that.”
Bredehoft then attributed social media and the presence of many Depp fans as having a negative impact on the jury’s decision, describing the courtroom to be that of a coliseum.
“I think some of it had to do with the amount of social media that was involved, the cameras in the courtroom,” she said. “The fact that they had 100 Depp fans in there every day, it was like a coliseum as opposed to a dignified courtroom. I think all of those things had a negative influence here that caused this to be much more challenging and much more difficult.”
“But reality is social media is everywhere, it was all over the TVs the radios, the internet, everywhere. It was really hard to block that out. And since it was so vitriolic to Amber, I think it made it a lot more difficult,” she said.
However, Bredehoft said that an appeal is in order.
“I don’t question the judge’s fairness. I think she’s a very good judge, I’ve known her for a long time. That doesn’t mean that I don’t question rulings and I do question rulings in this case.”
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