New Delhi: Johnny Depp is finally heaving a sigh of relief after winning the lawsuit against his ex-wife Amber Heard, in the defamation case. On Wednesday, the jury announced its verdict in favour of the Pirates Of The Caribbean actor, ruling that the Washington Post Op-ed published by Heard in 2018 was defamatory. The jury found that Heard's statements about her marriage were "false" and she acted with "actual malice". Johnny Depp was awarded total compensation of $15 million ($10m in compensatory damages and $5m in punitive damages).
Post his win, the actor took to his Instagram to share a long, emotional note, expressing his gratification for everyone who stood by him throughout his testing time, and having belief in the fact that "the best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun."
Johnny began his note with, "Six years ago, my life, the life of my children, the lives of those closest to me, and also, the lives of the people, who for many, many years have supported and believed in me were forever changed. All in the blink of an eye. False, very serious allegations were levied at me via the media, which triggered an endless barrage of hateful content, although no charges were ever levied against me. It had already traveled around the world twice within a nanosecond and it had a seismic impact on my life and my career."
Johnny then went ecstatic on winning the case and continued the note with, "And six years later, the jury gave me my life back. I am truly humbled. My decision to pursue this case, knowing very well the height of the legal hurdles that I would be facing and the inevitable, worldwide spectacle into my life, was only made after considerable thought.
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 finally I have accomplished that."
Throughout the trial, Johnny received immense love and support from his fans, all over the world. Expressing gratitude for the same, he further wrote, "I am, and have been, overwhelmed by the outpouring of love and the colossal support and kindness from around the world. 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. I also hope that the position will no return to innocent until proven guilty, both within the courts and in the media."
The Pirates Of The Caribbean actor concluded his emotional note by writing, "I wish to acknowledge the noble work of the judge, the jurors, the court staff and the Sheriffs, who have sacrificed their own time to get to this point, and to my diligent and unwavering legal team who did an extraordinary job in helping me, to share the truth.
The best is yet to come and a new chapter has finally begun.
Veritas numquam perit. Truth never perishes."
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