Johnny Depp Takes Big Loss in $ 100 Million Libel Battle With Amber Heard As Trial Looms

Less than a month before the start of Johnny Depp’s multimillion-dollar libel trial against Amber Heard, the former Pirates of the Caribbean The star was shot on Thursday as she tried to defend her ex-husband and stop a $ 100 million lawsuit.

In a brief hearing, Virginia judge Penny Azkarat ruled against Depp’s motion for a summary judgment, stating that aquaman The star can use the state anti-SLAPP provision in this matter.

Although today’s result doesn’t give Heard immunity for what he wrote in 2018 Washington Post The article that started this fight between the former spouses and diary of rome This means that his lawyers can argue that Herd deserves such immunity before a jury and that violates Depp’s legal strategy, which begins on April 11.

Part of the irony is that today’s decision not only strengthens Herd’s defense and libel claim against Depp and his representatives, but Depp is suing Hurd and Jeff Bezos for possession. Mail In Virginia, due to the state’s relatively light anti-SLAPP law. Due to a $ 50 million lawsuit filed by Depp in March 2019, the state enforced this law. Now, Virginia’s Anti-SLAPP measure provides immunity from liability for public interest declarations that will be protected by the First Amendment.

the Washington Post This case has long been removed as a defendant status.

In contrast to Depp’s earlier attempt to drop Herd’s case in 2020, Azkarad said Thursday that Heard Mail The document on domestic violence raises the question of the public interest. This is vital for the plaintiff as he reforms the litigation.

Depp’s team concluded that the defamation is private in nature and therefore not covered by the anti-SLAPP law (SLAPP stands for strategic lawsuit against public participation).

It should be noted that Herd’s article never mentions Depp by name.

Of course, after the 2016 split, which included restraining orders, the $ 7 million payment, and more, Depp insisted that the article be about him. Says “Ms. Herd is not a victim of domestic violence, she is a perpetrator,” Depp said in a Spring 2019 lawsuit, which claimed the article had cost him a lucrative role in a potential revival. pirates Disney franchise.

Both Depp and Herd have experienced ups and downs in this regard.

Herd was unable to move the lawsuit to California and be fired until Depp responded in September 2020. After losing a UK libel suit against Rupert Murdoch. On. The tabloid in November 2020 after calling him a “wife thug” (the appeal was rejected in March 2021), Depp also suspended his desire to see Herd’s expensive dress in January 2021.

Now the real show begins.